- +27 82 328 2755
- [email protected]
- The Old Mushroom Farm, 11 Karkloof Rd, Howick, RSA
R0.00
R250.00
Cradle of Commerce – A scarce privately published 1974 South African commercial history title documenting the story of Cape Town’s iconic Block B development, issued in a signed limited edition of only 1,000 copies.
1 in stock
Cradle of Commerce: The Story of Block B by Margaret Cairns is an impressive and scarce privately published South African historical work issued by Woolworths (Pty) Ltd in Cape Town during October 1974 to commemorate the inauguration of its new store on Block B. Edited by Wilhelm Grütter, this beautifully produced hardcover publication captures an important chapter in Cape Town’s commercial and architectural development and serves as both a historical record and a finely crafted collector’s piece.
Produced in a strictly limited edition of only 1,000 copies, Cradle of Commerce is numbered 265 and signed by Margaret Cairns. According to the limitation page, only twenty-five copies were printed on Zerkall-Bütten paper and bound in linen, while the remaining copies were printed on Focus Matt Art Paper and cloth bound by ABC Press of Cape Town. The book was carefully designed and produced in collaboration with G&G Design and Tony Williams-Short & Co., adding further appeal for collectors interested in South African private press and design history.
Cradle of Commerce explores the commercial significance of Block B and the broader evolution of Cape Town’s retail and business landscape during a transformative period in South African urban development. Richly researched and attractively presented, it will appeal to collectors of Africana, South African corporate history, Cape Town architecture, Woolworths memorabilia, and privately published limited editions.
Scarce signed copies seldom appear on the South African market, particularly in such well-preserved condition, making Cradle of Commerce an attractive acquisition for collectors, institutions, or readers interested in the historical development of commerce in Cape Town.
Condition – Very Good
1974 hardcover in Very Good condition. Limited signed edition copy number 265/1000. Cloth boards remain clean and well preserved with light shelf wear. Internally clean and well bound. Prior ownership sticker present on the endpaper. Signed by Margaret Cairns on the limitation page.
