Rust en Vreugd – A Pictorial Narrative / ‘n Verhaal in Prente by William Fehr

Rust en Vreugd – A Pictorial Narrative / ‘n Verhaal in Prente is William Fehr’s bilingual Afrikaans and English guide to the collection he housed at Rust en Vreugd in Buitenkant Street, Cape Town. It was published in 1965 by the William Fehr Collection, and the title page carries the heading Guide to the Collection / Gids vir die Versameling beneath the seal of the Historical Monuments Commission. This is an oblong hardcover in pictorial boards, showing the house and its carved balcony on the front board and the ornate carved doorway on the back board.

The text runs in Afrikaans and English throughout. It opens with a preface, acknowledgements and the story of Rust en Vreugd, then takes the reader room by room through Galleries A to F, the staircase and the special exhibition room, and closes with an index of artists. The book is illustrated with reproductions of works from the collection, including a watercolour of Van Riebeeck’s original fort on Table Bay, 1658.

Rust en Vreugd is one of Cape Town’s finest eighteenth century houses, and the Fehr Collection of paintings, watercolours and prints is among the most important pictorial records of the early Cape. A guide written by the collector himself gives a first-hand view of how the collection was arranged and presented in its early years at the house.

A good addition for collectors of Africana and Cape history, readers interested in South African art and historic architecture, and anyone with a fondness for Cape Town’s heritage museums.

Condition – Near Fine

A near fine copy of this oblong hardcover in laminated pictorial boards. The front board is clean and bright with sharp corners. The back board shows light soiling, a small dark mark and slight wear to the lower outer corner. The spine is sound and the binding firm. The pages seen are clean and bright with no foxing.