Dorsland-Trekkers deur J. Albert Coetzee
The Definitive Early Account of the Epical Trans-Kalahari Migrations and Angolan Settlement
Bibliographic Specifications
- Title: Dorsland-Trekkers
- Author: Dr J. Albert Coetzee
- Publisher: Dirk Pons & Ko., Potchefstroom
- Publication Date: Circa 1942 (First Edition)
- ISBN: None Issued (Pre-ISBN Antiquarian Era)
- Edition Details: First Edition, Scarce Regional Independent Press Release.
- Binding: Original publisher's white card wrappers with illustrative pioneer cover art.
- Physical Format: Octavo (8vo), featuring historic maps and lists of original pioneering families.
- Language: Afrikaans
Official Condition Report
- The Book: Good (G) / Stable Antiquarian Copy
- Exterior / Covers: The white card covers show noticeable age-browning, storage marks, and light handling wear on the panels. The spine shows minor paper wear at the tips, but remains complete and securely holds the book together.
- Interior: Good. The pages remain sound and firmly bound. The paper shows standard age-toning, but the text is clean and legible, free of modern ink marks, highlighting, or missing pages.
Synopsis & Historical Value
Dr J. Albert Coetzee's Dorsland-Trekkers is a vital early study of the historic Thirstland Trek of 1874 to 1881. The book details the harrowing journey of Boer families who left the Transvaal, crossing the harsh Kalahari Desert in search of new land. Coetzee describes their extreme hardships, their arrival at Humpata in Angola, and their interactions with Portuguese authorities. It stands as an essential record of one of the most demanding migrations in Southern African history.
Author Profile: Dr J. Albert Coetzee
Dr J. Albert Coetzee was a prominent 20th-century political scientist, author, and researcher who wrote extensively on the migrations and political thoughts of early South African pioneers. Publishing primarily through independent regional presses like Dirk Pons in Potchefstroom, Coetzee focused on preserving the stories of frontier communities, and his works remain highly valued for their detailed historical perspectives.
