Founded in 1990, family-owned Quagga Books has built a distinctive footprint in the antiquarian book trade with our eye for the unusual.
For an authentic experience, visit our Kalk Bay shop or browse through our interesting mix of books, maps and ephemera on our website.
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Under a Grudging Sun. Photographs from Haiti Libéré 1986-1988 – Webb, Alex
Photobook telling the story of the revolution in Haiti. Its brutality, sadness and complexity. Publisher: Thames and Hudson Date Published: 1989 Publication Place: London First Edition: Yes Condition: Very good. Some sunning to the spine Binding: Softcover Dimensions: 25 x 31cm
Historic Illustrations of the Bible. Principally after the Old Masters –
Engravings of religious scenes. Parallel text in English, French and German. Some foxing. fourth series. Condition: fair. Spine replaced with tape. Some cracks to the gutters. Hardcover. Publisher: Fisher, Son & Co. Date Published: circa 1880 Publication Place: London Condition: fair. Spine replaced with tape. Some cracks to the gutters Binding: Hardcover
African Elegance – Blauer, Ettagale
A look a the artistic expression of Sub Saharan Africa. Its cultural importance and narrative throughout African life. Inscribed by the author on the title page. 1st edition. Condition: Very good. Jacket: Very good. Binding: Hardcover. Publisher: New Holland Date Published: 1999 Publication Place: London First Edition: Yes Signed: Yes Condition: very good Binding: hardcover…
Die Buiteposte – Sleigh, D.
An historical study of the 57 VOC military and trading stations that supported the Dutch Cape Colony between 1652 and 1795. It details the daily lives of the posvolk (outpost workers) and the impact of these settlements on local Khoi communities. Text in Afrikaans. Derde druk, condition: very good. Dust jacket: very goo, hardcover. Publisher:…
Mr. Mkhize’s portrait & other stories from the new South Africa – Broomberg, Adam and Chanarin, Oliver
Photobook detailing the stories of South Africans in a changing country. Very good Softcover Publisher: The Photographer’s Gallery Date Published: 2004 Publication Place: Great Britain First Edition: Yes Condition: Very good Binding: Softcover
David Goldblatt 55 – signed – lawson, Lesley
Phaidon 55 series of pocket books. Size: 14 x 16cm. Signed by Goldblatt on the title page. Condition:Very good, light sunning to the spine, softcover. Publisher: Phaidon Date Published: circa 2002 Publication Place: London First Edition: Yes Signed: Yes Condition: Very good, light sunning to the spine Binding: softcover
Jan Christian Smuts – Smuts, J C
An interim biography of a great statesman and a father written by his son. With 23 pages of halftone illustrations and 5 maps. 568 Pages. First edition. Condition: very good. Dust jacket: very good, some minor loss at head and foot of spine. Binding: hardcover Publisher: Cassell & Company Ltd Date Published: 1952 Publication Place:…
Jan Christian Smuts – Smuts, J C
An interim biography of a great statesman and a father written by his son. With 23 pages of halftone illustrations and 5 maps. Light foxing to the feps. Contents clean. 568 Pages. Pages still firmly bound. Condition: Good. Binding: Hardcover. Cloth boards. Edge-wear and rubbing to the expremities. Publisher: Cassell & Company Ltd Date Published:…
Dictionary of Southern African Place Names – Raper, P E
A fascinating journey with the author of the highways and byways of Southern Africa exploring the origins of the names of towns and villages, mountains and rivers. Contains a wealth of social, linguistic and historical information. Previous owner’s name on front fep. 368 Pages. First edition. Condition: Good+. Binding: Hardcover. Publisher: Lowry Publishers Date Published:…
The Sea Fishes of Southern Africa. Presentation Copy – Smith, J.L.B.
A comprehensive scientific guide to the fishes found in the oceans of Southern Africa. 1232 B&W illustrations with 102 colour plates. 550 Pages. Some old tape marks to the feps. Presentation copy, signed by Professor Smith. Presented to Mrs T. Campbell, noted scientific illustrator and the artist who painted the frontis piece. 100 copies of…
Koraalboek. De Psalmen en Evangelische Geangen – de Villiers, Rocco C.
Sheet music for the organ. Third edition compiled by the important South African composer Rocco Cartozina de Villiers (1838-1902). He served as a long-time organist for the Dutch Reformed Church in Caledon and the famous Strooidakkerk in Paarl. He was a major figure in shaping early South African musical culture, composing numerous hymns and pieces,…
Five Hundred Years Rediscovered Southern African Precedents and Prospects – Swanepoel, Natalie, Esterhuysen, Amanda and Bonner, Philip (ed.)
Proceedings of the 2007 Conference – 500 Year Initiative. This work challenges colonial-era myths that African societies were isolated and unchanging before Europeans arrived. Combining archaeology and history, it proves that local communities were innovative, dynamic, and connected through complex trade networks for over 500 years. Condition: very good, soft cover Publisher: Wits University Press…
District Six – Small, Adam & Wissema, Jansje
A selection of Jansje Wissema’s District Six from her complete portfolio is brought to life and complimented by a text specially written for the occasion by Adam Small, one of District Six’s greatest interpreters. First edition Very good condition, Slight curling to the wraps sofcover Publisher: Fontein Date Published: 1986 Publication Place: Cape Town First…
Die Plaag – Van Reybrouck, David
Die stil geknaag van skrywers, termiete en Suid-Afrika Uit Nederlands vertaal deur Daniel Hugo. Very good soft cover Publisher: Protea Boekhuis Date Published: 2003 Publication Place: Pretoria Condition: Very good Binding: soft cover
Wild Flowers of South Africa for the Garden – van der Spuy, Una
Previous owner’s stamp and names to the paste down. Tape marks to the fep’s. 286 pp, numerous colour photographs Condition: Very good No jacket Hardcover Publisher: Hugh Keartland Date Published: 1971 Publication Place: Johannesburg First Edition: Yes Condition: Very good Binding: Hardcover Jacket Condition: No jacket
Suid-Afrikaanse Pleknaamwoordeboek. Deel 1. – Nienaber, P.J
Clear plastic over bright blue boards. 418 pages, 8vo Very good Hardcover Publisher: Suid-Afrikaanse Boeksentrum Date Published: 1963 Publication Place: Kaapstad First Edition: Yes Condition: Very good Binding: Hardcover
Records of South-Eastern Africa. Nine Volumes – Theal, George McCall
Collected in Various Libraries and Archive Departments in Europe A scarce set of nine volumes bound in black cloth. Published between 1898 and 1903. This set from the private library of Abraham Fischer, 1st Prime Minister of the Orange River Colony, with his name to the fep of some volumes. Condition:very good. Light wear to…
History of South Africa. 11 Volumes – Theal, George McCall
An excellent set of the facsimile reprint of the “Star” edition (1916-1927). The following titles included: Volume I: Ethnography and Condition of South Africa before A.D. 1505. Volumes II, III and IV: History of South Africa Before 1795. Volumes V, VI, VII, VIII and IX: History of South Africa Since 1795. Volumes X and XI:…
Heldin uit die Vreemde. Die Verhaal van Emily Hobhouse – Van Reenen, Rykie
School book prize to the fep. Vyfde druk. Condition: very good good, some general wear. Publisher: Tafelberg Date Published: 1973 Publication Place: Cape Town Condition: Very good Jacket Condition: good, some general wear.
Lady Anne – Krog, Antjie
Afrikaans poetry from this award winning South African author. Second edition. Condition: very good, softcover. Publisher: Human & Rousseau Date Published: 2004 Publication Place: Kaapstad Condition: very good Binding: softcover
Onder Suidersterre. Tussen die Ooste en die Weste 1652-1795 – Boeseken, A.J.
Early history of the colonisation of the Cape, up to the end of the Dutch period. Text in Afrikaans. Condition:very good, hardcover Publisher: Kaap en Transvaal Drukkers Date Published: 1981 Publication Place: Parrow First Edition: Yes Condition: very good Binding: hardcover
Strelitzias of the World A Historical & Contemporary Exploration – Baijnath, Himansu and McCracken, Patricia A.
Signed by the authors and illustrators. A richly illustrated deep dive into the species and its lore. Condition:very good, hardcover Publisher: Durban Botanical Gardens Date Published: 2018 Publication Place: Durban First Edition: Yes Signed: Yes Condition: very good Binding: hardcover Dimensions: 22 x 25cm, 300 pp.
Sefer Tel-Aviv – Druyanov, Alex (ed.)
Text in Hebrew. Lacks the maps called for on the title page. 464 pages with illustrations, photographs, plans and index. 12 pages of advertisements. The textblock is sound but covers and spine are detached but included. Ex-library. First edition. Condition: Fair Publisher: Tel-Aviv Book Committee with participation of the Tel-Aviv Municipality Date Published: 1936 Publication…
Choice, Not Fate. The life and times of Trevor Manuel – Green, Pippa
Condition:very good. Dust jacket: very good, hardcover Publisher: Penguin Date Published: 2008 Publication Place: South Africa First Edition: Yes Condition: very good Binding: hardcover Has Dust Jacket: Yes Jacket Condition: very good
Seven Pillars of Wisdom. A Triumph – Lawrence, T E
Lawrence of Arabia’s covert activities in the Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Ceramic head of T E Lawrence as the frontispiece. 4 maps. 54 illustrations (including frontispiece). Light foxing throughout. Pencil inscription to the fep. Page edges untrimmed and foxed. Second impression. Condition: Good. Binding: Hardcover. Cloth boards with some…
Montanha in Zoutpansberg – Ferreira, O.J.O.
‘n Portugese Handelsending van Inhambane se Besoek aan Schoemansdal 1855-1856 A look at the trade mission of Pater Joaquim de Santa Rita Montanha (ca. 1806-1870) from Inhambane to Schoemansdal in the Zoutpansberg, (1855-1856) Publisher: Protea Boekhuis Date Published: 2002 Publication Place: Pretoria First Edition: Yes Condition: very good Binding: hardcover Has Dust Jacket: Yes Jacket…
Rocklands, on the Old Britstown Road – Blomerus, Etienne
A collection of true stories set in the Karoo where the author spent his children on a sheep farm during the fifties and early sixties. 179 Pages. First Edition. Condition: Very good. Binding: Softcover. Date Published: 2018 First Edition: Yes Condition: very good Binding: softcover
The Colonisation of the Southern Tswana 1870-1900 – Shillington, Kevin
Scarce work dealing with the pre-colonial period, the colonisation of Griqualand West and of British Bechuanaland. Publisher: Ravan Press Date Published: 1985 Publication Place: 2017 First Edition: Yes Condition: Very good. Light wear and age toning Binding: softcover
Route Map of Rhodesia. From information received from military sources. With notes on road from Limpopo to Pietersburg. 1″ to 20″ inches. – J T Wood and A A Ortlepp
An extremely scarce map crammed with fascinating notes and directions to traverse a wild country. Eg. “From Limpopo to Old Brack River Store. Country unoccupied. Waters few and bad . A few Dutch farms can be on Hout River . Eight Transvaal police stationed here… sparsely occupied by Boer farmers… Pont Drift . strong positions ….
The Mammals of the Southern African Subregion – Smithers, Reay H N
Emphasis on the distribution of species, type of habitat, characteristic habits, their food and reproduction. 30 full colour plates with numerous b&w drawings illustrating the text. 736 Pages. Mild thumbing. Light foxing to page edges. Previous owner’s name to fep. First edition. Condition: very good. Dust jacket: very good, hardcover. Publisher: University of Pretoria Date…