Great River: The Story of the Orange River (Signed) by A.R. Willcox

Great River: The Story of the Orange River by A.R. Willcox F.R.S. (S.A.) F.S.A. F.R.A.I. was first published in 1986 by Drakensberg Publications of Winterton, Natal, and printed and bound by Colorgraphic in Durban.

This copy of Great River is a first edition, signed by the author as “Alex R. Willcox” on the title page.

The book traces the Orange River from beginning to end in seven chapters: The Formation of the River, The Peoples of the River, Exploration, The River and History, Diamonds and the River, Harnessing, Breaking and Taming, and In Conclusion a Plea.

It is illustrated with figures, black and white plates, colour plates and maps, including the folding map, and closes with references, further reading and an index.

The publisher’s errata slip correcting three captions is present on the inner cover.

Alex Willcox was a respected Natal Midlands writer on the archaeology, rock art and history of southern Africa, and Great River brings that knowledge to bear on the country’s longest river.

The book is especially strong on the long exploration of the river and on the diamond story. It ends with the author’s plea for the river’s future after the major development schemes.

Signed copies of Great River turn up far less often than unsigned ones.

It will appeal to Africana collectors, readers interested in the Northern Cape, Free State and Namibian border regions, and anyone collecting the work of A.R. Willcox or Drakensberg Publications.

Condition – Near Fine

A near fine copy of Great River in brown cloth boards with white spine lettering, without dust jacket. There is minimal wear to the boards and slight dirt to the spine around the white lettering.

The endpapers show light foxing, but the text pages are otherwise clean. Signed by the author on the title page.

The errata slip on the inner cover and the folding map are both present, and the binding is sound.