Instructions to the Collector and Comptroller at the Free Warehousing Port of Cape Town, 1828

Published London: H. Teape and Son for His Majesty's Stationery Office, 1828.

The "Cape Town Cape of Good Hope" portion of the title has been neatly inserted by hand in flowing contemporary script, as has the name of the Collector, Mr. William Fuld (?) on page 3. On page 11, the instructions have been hand signed by what looks to be a Mr. Murray and a Mr. Smith, and dated 3rd July 1831. Very attractive calf half leather binding with bright gilt on a red label along the spine and marbled boards. This binding is solid and has some minor edgewear. The nineteen text leaves are clean and bright (apart from a very light stain on the top corner) and binding is tight, but the blank front free endpaper is loose. There are very light brown stains on the endpapers. The text is obviously complete, but there may by the looks of it have been some (blank?) leaves excised at the front and back of the book - alternatively this may be just the  style of binding. Comprises eighteen articles of instruction, for example "take care that a sufficient number of windows be made in the building to supersede the necessity of using candles.." etc. There are also some sample forms of a Warehousing  Warrant, Warrant for Duty on Warehoused Goods, Certificate of Bond for Exportation of Warehoused Goods, as well as a Boards Minute referred to in the instructions, an interesting schedule of  articles of general importation permitted to warehoused, and the quantity  of each to allowed as samples, as well as a blank sampling order.  The booklet in the attractive Regency Era binding is rare, and as pertains to Cape Town, unique. Enquiries and comments welcome.