The Funeral of President Kruger: Ephemera and Exonumia

The Funeral of President Kruger: Ephemera and Exonumia

A unique collection of ephemera on the passing and funeral of the late President of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek, including: extensive, original newspaper clippings (rare survivors form the Rand newspapers of the time) on the ceremonies surrounding the arrival and transport, and burial of the Presidents body (with some content on dramatis personae from the Anglo-Boer War) ; a antique photograph and a fine, embossed postcard of Krugers grave; vintage (possibly antique) photo reprints of the body laying in state and of vice-admiral Norman MacLeod, commander of the Batavier IV; and a large, two page spread from the Volkstem, on Krugers funeral.

Also included with the collection is the more rare President Kruger Memorial Medal (AM: 169; Hern: 382; ME: South African Republic 8; Laidlaw: 0183a) attached to a chain.  From Laidlaw, Paul Kruger died in Clarens, Switzerland, on 14th July 1904 (the inscription on the medal records the date incorrectly).  His body was transported to Holland where he was buried on 26th July at Eik en Duinen, close to The Hague.  Krugers body remained in Holland for four month before being transported back to South Africa aboard the ship S.S. Batavier IV. He was finally laid to rest next to his wife in the Pretoria Cemetery on 16th December 1904, Dingaan's Day.