The Missionaries - Pre 1870 - 1870 and later.

Date of Publication	Title of resource	Author/s	S rating*
1795	Sermons Preached in London, at the Formation of the Missionary Society	London Missionary Society	10
1803	South African Mission London Missionary Society	Kircherer and Kramer	10
1805	Evangelical Magazine (1805)	Various	9
1812 and 1813	Walks of Usefulness	Rev John Campbell	6
1815	Travels in South Africa, undertaken at the Request of the Missionary Society	Rev John Campbell	8
1815	REVIEW Travels in South Africa, undertaken at the Request of the Missionary Society	The Quarterly Review	10
1816	Evangelical Magazine - Missionary Chronicle Vol XXIV	Various	8
1819	World's Displayed for the Benefit of Young People and Piety in Youth	Rev John Campbell and Kiah Bayley	10
1822	Travels in South Africa.. a second journey	Rev John Campbell	8
1822	REVIEW Travels in South Africa.. a second journey	The Quarterly Review	10
1828	Researches in South Africa	Rev John Philip	9
1830	Voyages to & from the Cape of Good Hope with an account of a journey into the interior of S Africa	Rev John Campbell	10
1831	The Life Of Africaner, A Namacqua Chief, Of South Africa (Soft Cover)	Rev John Campbell	10
	Electronic transcript of The Life of Africaner		1
1832	London Missionary Society Magazine	Various	8
1832	Voyages to & from the Cape of Good Hope with an account of a journey into the interior of S Africa	Rev John Campbell	10
1833	The Life Of Africaner, A Namacqua Chief, Of South Africa (Hard Copy)	Rev John Campbell	10
1834	Journal of Travels in South Africa - abridged by Rev John Campbell	Rev John Campbell	10
1834	Journey to Lattakoo in South Africa - fifth edition	Rev John Campbell	10
1835	Journal of Travels in South Africa - Second Edition	Rev John Campbell	10
1835	Journey to Lattakoo in South Africa - Second abridged print	Rev John Campbell	10
1837	The Life Of Africaner, A Namacqua Chief, Of South Africa (Hard Copy)	Rev John Campbell	10
1839-41	London Missionary Society Magazine	Various	9
1840	Journal of Travels in South Africa - Final Edition	Rev John Campbell	10
1840	Voyages to & from the Cape of Good Hope with an account of a journey into the interior of S Africa	Rev John Campbell	10
1840	Six letters on the Church question (signed by John Campbell)	Rev John Campbell	10
1841	Memorials of South Africa	Barnabus Shaw	9
1845	Evangelical Magazine (1845)	Various	9
1846	Gospel among the Bechuanas (signed first edition)	Robert Moffat	9
1846	Evangelical Magazine (1846)	Various	9
1853	The Kafir, the Hottentot and the Frontier Farmer	Archdeacon Merriman	7
1856	Visit to Moselekatse, King of the Matabele	Robert Moffat	9
1857	Missionary Chronicle Magazine	London	8
1857	Notes on the Holy Bible	John Campbell	10
1857 and 58 (editions)	Missionary travels and researches in South Africa	Dr David Livingstone	8
1858	Livingstone's Explorations in South Africa	David Livingstone	9

*(S Rating) Scarcity Rating (includes scarcity, relevance and content) - with 10 being the most desirable and 1 easiest to acquire. Those highlighted in the deeper shades of red are highly sought after works.

Sermons Preached in London, at the Formation of the Missionary Society, 1795 -
London Missionary Society (LMS)

The 246 page hardcovered A5-sized book carries a list of subscribers to its publication - less than 200 copies, making this an extremely rare work today. Interestingly Rev John Campbell played no part in its formation.

This historic book carries sermons preached in London at the formation of the London Missionary Society from 22nd to 24th September 1795. In the opening pages it sets out the strategy for the formation of the London Missionary Society (pages copied in images below).

The book is the foundation stone of the Griqua name as Rev John Campbell came to Klaarwater in 1813 on the instruction of the LMS and changed their name from bastards to Griqua.

The sole object of the LMS in "The Plan" (see scans below) is... to spread the knowledge of Christ among heathen and other unenlightened nations

The book is in excellent condition, apart from some spotted foxing, in original black leather with marbled boards and gilt on spine. The publisher is Barrett and Marsh of Newburyport.

The Appleton Library is the pastor's library of the First Congregational Church of North Brookfield, Massachusetts. All of these books are from that library and bear the historic Appleton Library bookplate on the inside cover (see image below).

The Balson Holdings Family Trust holds the volume withdrawn from The Appleton Library.

	Appleton Sticker	Frontispiece
Introduction	London Missionary Society	guidelines (The Plan)

South African Mission - London Missionary Society - 1803
Kircherer and Kramer

[Kircherer (Van der Kemp)] London Missionary Society. South African Mission, (being pages 323-508 of the Transactions of the Society Vol I, from its institution in the year 1795 to the year 1802 ...). . Bye and Law, London. (1803) 8vo., [323-508]pp., recently bound in new blue cloth gilt. Very good. An extremely rare work.

This comprises the complete section on Southern Africa, and from the pagination would appear to be the first edition. Mendelssohn (I,921) only cites the British Museum Copy of the second edition and comments "... (contains) an account of the Revs. Kircherer and Kramer in connection with their mission to the Bushman, and of William Anderson's Mission to the Corannas and Bastards. There is also a narrative. of Dr. Vanderkemp's conversion and call to to missionary work ...".

Also see SABib 3, 156. Listing only one copy of the first edition.

The Balson Holdings Family Trust holds this volume in very good condition.

Evangelical Magazine Vol XIII - 1805

There are over 600 pages pages in this 1805 yearbook of The Evangelical Magazine.  There is no torn or damaged text pages in this volume. There is light between the front board and the binding - the back board is okay. The bluish marbled boards are half calf - the backstrip is rubbed and scuffed and beginning to peel at both top and bottom. The text block looks good and is attached. The book's dimensions are 5.75 x 8.75 inches and the thickness of the book measures 1.75 inches.

On page 86 of the book is the report on the remarkable conversion of Cupido to Christianity.

It reads: The following remarkable account of the conversion of Cupido, a Hottentot, is taken from No XII of the Missionary Transactions - just published. The image of Cupido shown below is carried in a later edition of the evangelical society's yearbook.

The article refers to Cupido being a drunk before his conversion - which apparently resulted in miraculous changes in his life and behaviour.  

The Balson Holdings Family Trust holds this volume in very good condition.

Cupido	Front of book

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Walks of Usefulness  (published in 1812 by Whiting and Watson)
- Rev John Campbell

This (second edition) small book just 136 pages long and measuring only 9cm by 14cm gives an extraordinary insight into the man, John Campbell. (See also Campbell's 1811 letter about the reprint of this book)

The book records many of Campbell's experiences in meeting fellow Londoners in the early 1800s and how he allegedly took (for example) a woman skinning a live eel to task saying "how would you like to be skinned alive"... and allegedly asking a banker if he has any bills drawn on heaven the most civilised country in the world.

I say allegedly because in his introduction Campbell says, Though I have presented these Walks of Usefulness to the public , I have to confess, with shame, that they describe in many instances, what might have been done, rather than what, in many cases, I have really done. He also reflects on his future missionary life by saying "If every Christian were to consider himself a missionary from God to such perishing men as he has access to, which he certainly is, much good might be done every day...."  

A copy of the 1812 and 1813 edition is in the Balson Holdings Family Trust collection.

A summary of John Campbell's life can be seen at this link

Travels in South Africa (published 1815) - Rev John Campbell
(transcription from his journals)

The first edition book of this book, shown right, has page 250 incorrectly marked as 450 and was "Printed for the author by Black and Parry in 1815" and "sold by the author at his house in Shacklewell near Kingsland at the Missionary Society Rooms". The Balson Holdings Family Trust holds two copies of this extremely rare book as well as a copy of the more common second edition, "Printed for Black, Parry and Co in London in 1815 with corrections." Included in these corrections is the correct numbering of page 250.

The book is a transcript of John Campbell's journal's following his first visit (1813). His visit was prompted by the death of the Missionary Society of London's lead man in South Africa. Campbell was sent out to inspect the state of the missions and make recommendations for the future. Campbell toured the country, meeting not only the natives, but the Boer settlers, of whom he a had a very poor opinion. Near Graaff-Reinet, the party met the celebrated traveller/explorer, Burchell and later on they journeyed through the Snewburg and "Bushmen's Country"until they reached Klaar Water (home of the Bastards/Griquas), from which place they pushed on for Lattakoo where they made the acquaintance of the king, "Mateebe", and there is an interesting account of the King and his people. Much information with regard to past events involving the party of Dr. Cowan massacred years earlier and the countries beyond Lattakoo was obtained from the King. (Reprint copy also held - see below)

His accounts of Africa in this book are said to have influenced Dr Livingstone to travel to S Africa.

It is in this book the immortal, but misleading words are penned (pg 256):

"It was likewise resolved that as they had no circulating medium amongst them by which they could purchase any small article, such as knives, scissars (sic) etc, etc. supposing a shop to be established amongst them - which they were anxious there should be - they should apply to the (London) Missionary Society to get silver pieces of different value coined for them in England, which the Missionaries would take for their allowance from the Society, having the name of Griqua town marked on them. It is probable that if this were adopted in a short time they would circulate amongst all the nations about, and be a great convenience".

The introduction of this book (pg vii) states that it reflects a transcript of Campbell's journal - now this is an important. Campbell's later abridged book of the same trip (see item below) makes absolutely no reference to the minting of coinage (see para above).

Balson also argues that the Griqua Town coins that Campbell refers to in his 1815 book were eventually minted as token coins in about 1820 but never circulated.

Some of the logic is quite simple, not only were the Griquas unable to count (they could not even write) but they had had no store to trade them in Griqua Town. Campbell's lack of reference to them in his second book  Travels in S Africa, a second journey (published 1822) when he re-visited the griquas reveals the failure of his earlier diary notes. Finally, consider the relative scarcity of all pieces "IIIII", 10, 1/4 and1/2 - pointing to a small trial mintage not a mintage of coins to be used by a community... after all it takes thirty to fifty 1/4 pieces to make up the change for a "IIIII" or 10. 

Image right: Frontpiece of this first edition book

• More on Campbell and his "coins" at this link.
• Review of this book below

Copies of this rare and valuable first edition book with original maps, in very good condition, with slight discolouration on some pages and damage to the outside rib and a second edition copy with extensive foxing are held in the Balson Holdings Family Trust collection.

The Quarterly Review - Travel in South Africa (1815)

Somewhat scathing treatment of the Reverend John Campbell's book: "Travels in South Africa, undertaken at the Request of the Missionary Society" (1815 displayed above) and his role as missionary at the Cape of Good Hope. Reflects the claims that Campbell could not be trusted in his writings because he could not discern between fact or fantasy... this claim is supported by none other than Rev Robert Moffat - more at this link.

Excerpt from the text:

"Another objection to the choice of Mr. Campbell is the evident absence of every qualification with which, in these days, a traveller is expected to be gifted. The most common objects of nature he is either unacquainted with, or affects to consider as beneath his notice; and the reader who looks for information as to the natural history or the geography of that part of south Africa, hitherto but little travelled by Europeans , will meet with disappointment; false nomenclature, and vague and confused description, are all he is to expect."

Replete with Campbell's quotes and interactions with the unconverted Hottentots, Booshuanas, Namaquas and Coranas as he journeys via New Drosdy of George Town, Bethelsdorp, easterly to Albany, onto Graaf Reynet, Sneuwberg, Leetakoo, etc., and finally returns to the Cape of Good Hope after an absence of nearly nine months.

Below are examples of the reviewers comments (click on thumbnail) questioning the integrity of Campbell's writing....

The Balson Holdings Family Trust holds this extremely rare 22 page review in very good condition

Evangelical Magazine - Missionary Chronicle Vol XXIV (1816)

There are 530 pages in Volume XXIV of The Evangelical Magazine for the year 1816.  There is no torn or damaged text pages in this volume, although there is offset from the engraving for each month and foxing throughout. There is light between the front board and the binding - the back board is okay. The bluish marbled boards are half calf - the backstrip is rubbed and scuffed and beginning to peel at both top and bottom. The text block looks good and is attached. The book's dimensions are 5.75 x 8.75 inches and the thickness of the book measures 1.50 inches.

The first engraving in the book is of Cupido - Hottentot Evangelist. There is an engraving at the beginning of each month - some of the people from these engravings are: The Revs. Mark Wilks from London, Rich Herdsman of L. Petherton, Somerset, and Ebenezer Chandler, immediate successor to the Rev. John Bunyan as the pastor of the church of Protestant Dissenters, Bedford.

There are many letters by the Rev Read who stayed with the Hottentots in Namaqualand - one refers to Cupido (see image below) who he calls an evangelist. A report on Cupido's conversion is carried in an earlier release of this evangelical book (1805). There are no other known references to this elusive Hottentot evangelist.

Read refers extensively to the conversion of the much feared Jager Africaner - an event which only took place years later.

The Balson Holdings Family Trust holds this volume in very good condition.

Cupido the elusive Hottentot evangelist

"Worlds Displayed for The Benefit of Young People" and "Piety in Youth"
published 1819 - by Rev John Campbell and Kiah Bayley
(possibly the world's first published bible tract)

The first edition, soft covered book of this small 52 page booklet is attributed to Rev John Campbell (the first title "History of Peter Patience" is attributed to Kiah Bayley, a Massachusetts minister).

The small booklet was published by the Philadelphia Female Tract Society and only sold at their depository at 20 Walnut St. The printer was one of their number, Lydia R Bailey. The book demonstrates Rev John Campbell's pioneering role in creating religious tracts after he became a Director of the London Missionary Society.

The Balson Holdings Family Trust also holds an extremely rare hard copy of the book with the titles "The Pleasures of Piety in Youth" (by Kiah Bayley) and "Worlds Displayed" (by John Campbell).

The hard copy edition - image of cover right holds the two books and has about 120 pages.

The book has a fair amount of browning but is otherwise in excellent condition.

Some of the graphics and main pages of the hard covered book are scanned below.

Other titles attributed to Rev John Campbell include: "History of Fanny Faithful"; "History of a Jewish Convert"; "Visits to Souls in prison"; "History of Methusa"; "History of Haman" and "History of Sophia".

This is possibly the first bible tract ever published in this manner, being the father of all the weekly and daily bible tracts that are found in so many forms today.

It is extremely rare today and rarely seen for sale.

The Balson Holdings Family Trust holds copies of both these rare books in excellent condition. They cannot be found for sale on the Internet.

Shown below are the back cover and frontispiece of the soft cover edition:

Shown below are scans from the hardcover edition:

Critical comment on this work: A historically significant chapter in the spreading of the word by Missionaries and religious groups that predates all the other missionary tracts shown on this page.

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Travels in South Africa.. a second journey (published 1822) - Rev John Campbell
(Two volumes)

Full title: "Travels in South Africa, undertaken at the request of the London Missionary Society; being a narrative of a second journey in the interior of that country".

This very rare first edition (London) set of two books is an account of Campbell's travels among the various tribes of the northern Cape Colony and into Bechuanaland (Botswana), including the Griqua, Bushmen, Coranna and Tswana. There are two volumes, pp. viii,xii,322 + (iii),384,(i), 12 hand-coloured plates, folding colour map. Much of the trip was undertaken with the young Robert Moffat who was later stationed at a new missionary centre at Kuruman.

The book has its original contemporary full-leather, recased with original gilt backstrips laid on, new end-papers. The spine & hinges are rubbed and the map (commonly) repaired at the folds. This is an attractive set of the large paper edition (24cm tall) with just some foxing.

There is a condensed version of this book published in 1830.

The Balson Holdings Family Trust holds this set of the two volumes in very good condition.

Critical comment on this work: It is Robert Moffat's less than flattering comments about John Campbell  that make this book so intriguing. Moffat, who travelled with Campbell during his second trip, refers to Campbell's weakness for liquor and his foul mouth at these times. This side of Campbell, hidden in the books published by both missionaries is revealed in Moffat's letters published in the book Apprenticeship at Kuruman. Interestingly Campbell makes no reference to the "Griqua Town coins" in this book (see his book above) - an extraordinary oversight for a man who goes into so much detail about other aspects of Griqua life. The 1822 review of this book reflects the fantasy on which much of this book is based.

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The Quarterly Review - Travel in South Africa, a second journey (1822)

A contemporary analysis on Campbell's second trip, which was published the same year (1822 displayed above). A review decidedly derisory in tone describes Campbell's work as "desultory" and Campbell himself "indifferently qualified" for the task. The breadth of subject matter is wide and the account of London Society Missions complete. The author is accused, however, of simplicity and credulity in his descriptions which include the "peculiarities" of the Booshuana and their practice of infanticide, negligence toward elders, circumcision, the role of the Rain Makers; the Peetsos; king of the Mashows; the Kurreechanes and more.

The Balson Holdings Family Trust holds this extremely rare 14 page review in very good condition

Critical comment on this work: Reflects the growing understanding that many of Campbell's claims were nothing more than fantasy

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Researches in South Africa (published 1828) - Rev John Philip
(Volume One of Two Volumes)

Full title: "Researches in South Africa; illustrating the civil, moral and religious conditions of the Native Tribes: Including Journals of the author's travels in the interior; together with detailed accounts fo the progress of the Christian Missions, exhibiting the influence of Christianity in promoting civilization".

This very rare first edition Volume One (of two volumes) book was published in 1828 by James Duncan. The book in verg good clean and tight condition with period leather bindging, raised bands and gilt stamps.

Volume two of the book is in the Balson Holding Family Trust's digital library - the entire book can be viewed through Google Books at this link..

The two 1828 volumes, when available, sell for over US$1000.

The Balson Holdings Family Trust holds volume one of this extremely rare book in very good plus condition.

Critical comment on this work: Philip accompanied Rev John Campbell on his second trip to South Africa - having been in the country from the early 1810s. In Volume Two of his book he quotes the London Missionary Society's William Anderson verbatim at length. Anderson making no reference AT ANY TIME to the "Griquatown coins" (pg 57-62). This evidence can be seen by going to Google Books at this link, searching on "Anderson"  - a quick-loading transript of the relevant piece can be seen at this link.

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Voyages to and from the Cape of Good Hope with an account of a journey into the interior of S Africa by Rev John Campbell (1830)

Published for the Religious Tract Society, this 271 page book with several illustrations (some shown below) has a blind stamped cloth and gilt spine. (The rare 248 page 1840 edition of this book can be seen below)

This 16cm by 10cm sized book is a condensed description of his second voyage to S. Africa, 1819-21 and is "intended for the young". The full account of his second voyage appeared in 2 vols. in 1822.

Publisher: Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication

Two copies of this extremely rare books in very good and fair condition are held in the Balson Holdings Family Trust collection. (No copies of this books are available for sale on the Internet).

Known for his fanciful writing - the "dolphin" below reflects why book reviewers sneered at his works

Frontispiece	Whale	Penguin	Dolphin?

Critical comment on this work: A fascinating, fanciful but rare edited work of Campbell's second trip to South Africa.

The Life Of Africaner, A Namacqua Chief, Of South Africa
by the Rev. J. Campbell (1831, 1833 and 1837)

Published in Philadelphia by the American Sunday School Union. (Soft covered 1831 first edition seen right)

Softcover/Hardcover. Small, 13cm by 8cm. Pages vary on editions.

The Juvenile Cabinet of Publications with this issue concerning the Hottentot brigand, Jager Africaner, who attacked Boers and other natives before converting to Christianity (26 pages). There is an additional 9 page tract entitled "Happy Death of a Madagascar Youth". It is illustrated with wood engravings.

Three copies of this extremely rare book, one with a soft (1831) and two with a hard cover (1833 and 1837), all with slight discolouration on some pages are held in the Balson Holdings Family Trust collection.

1831: 55 pages
1833: 48 pages
1837: 48 pages

The purchase of multiple copies of this book, like Dower, is made by the trust because of its extreme, but unrecognised, rarity. You cannot buy these books anywhere today and just a handful remain in existence.

No copies remain for sale on the Internet. It is believed that the soft covered 1831 first edition is unique.

The more common, later hard copy editions of this book attracts amazing interest and realises amazing prices in 2008... more at this link!

More on this book at this link.

Back of extremely rare 1831 Soft covered edition		Comparison of 1833 - 1837 hard copy editions (image above and to left)
	1831 soft cover edition

These extremely rare books are held in the Balson Holdings Family Trust collection.

Voyages to and from the Cape of Good Hope with an account of a journey into the interior of S Africa by Rev John Campbell (1832)

Published for the Religious Tract Society, this second edition 248 page book with several illustrations (some shown below) has a cloth spine and stamped "Worcester National School Library" (see below).

This 16cm by 10cm sized book is a condensed description of his second voyage to S. Africa, 1819-21 and is "intended for the young". The full account of his second voyage appeared in 2 vols. in 1822.

Publisher: Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication

One copy of this extremely rare book in fair condition is held in the Balson Holdings Family Trust collection. (No copies of this books are available for sale on the Internet).

He was known for his fanciful writing - the "animals" below reflect why book reviewers sneered at his works

Frontispiece	Hyena	Seal

London Missionary Society Magazine
by Various (1832)

The Missionary Magazine and Chronicle hardbound; Relating Chiefly to the Missions of the London Missionary Society. 1839, 1840, and 1841 all separately paginated and complete. Incorporation June - December 1839, January to December 1840, and January to December 1841.

There are many plates in the book.

Contents include:

• The Musuulman Mosque Near Berhampore ( illustrated )
• Letters from Rarotonga with Illustrations.
• Death of Mr. Barnden at the Navigators Islands
• Native Female Orphan School at Vizagapatam
• South Seas Missions at Eimeo ( illustrated )
• Missionary Tour in the Malayan Peninsula
• Dry Harbour Station at Jamaica ( illustrated )
• Singapore - Letter from Leang Afah
• Liberality of the Negroes in the West Indies
• Article on the Missionary Ship Camden ( Tahiti etc ) by the famous John Williams ( later martyred )
• The State and Prospect of Missions in China
• Mission at Morant Bay, Jamaica
• Mission in the Navigators Islands ( with letters by missionaries )
• West Indies - Demerara
• Illustration of The Caffre Chief and His Hottentot Teacher
• Centenary Commemoration of the Rev. George Whitefield in Jamaica
• The Mournful Death of John Williams ( the very first accounts of his martyrdom published here )
• The Death of John Williams
• Address by Robert Moffat (image of his Kuruman mission right)
• Missions at Savaii and Samoa
• Illustration of the Martyrdom of Rasalama with article ( Madagascar )
• Celebration of the First of August in Jamaica ( illustration )
• Chapel at Port Louis, Mauritius

Journal of Travels in South Africa - abridged by Rev John Campbell (1834)
- Rev John Campbell

This fascinating 234 page work (without any maps) is a concise version of Campbell's earlier "Travels in South Africa". In this work Campbell summarises much of his trip while keeping in all the important and relevant pieces. The book was written by Campbell twenty years after his first visit, and nearly the same period after his published work based on the journals of his first trip were published. With this in mind it is clear that Campbell would have had plenty of time to reflect on the fact and fantasy reflected in the journals of his first trip.

This extremely important and rare book, just six inches high by four inches across, has the same frontpiece image as the 1815 work but reflects the important variation from transcript of his journal to "abridged by the author". (This book is in fact far rarer than the earlier published works on his travels).

The context of the pages dealing with August 7th, the date Campbell had the historic meeting with the Griquas - at which time their name was changed - is perfectly summarised in this abridged version with one very significant point of difference.

NO REFERENCE TO ANY DISCUSSION WITH THE GRIQUAS ABOUT MINTING COINS THROUGH THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Image right below: Frontpiece of the abridged "Journal of Travels in South Africa" carries the same image and similar format as the earlier (1815) transcribed journal of his travels. First edition (1834) undated on this page.

In fact, the paragraph transcribed in the 1815 work at this link is totally omitted by Campbell and is replaced by a subject not covered in this earlier work. Campbell says, on pages 174 and 175:

Many of the people have gardens; tobacco holds a distinguished place in them. It evidently is the favoured plant. Many acres of land in different parts of the country, especially around Griqua Town are cultivated. They abound in horned cattle, sheep and goats; and these, with other outward comforts, the people acknowledge, have considerably increased since they became a stationery people.

and

Regular trades cannot be said yet to exist in Griqualand.  

The first paragraph discusses the basic level of farming that the Griquas had attained. The second statement is a reality check that flies in the face of the grandois ideals of minting coins - as transcribed from his journals in "Travels in South Africa". In fact it screams out as an admission by Campbell of his reporting fantasy as opposed to recording fact. This first edition edit by Campbell OMITS any reference to the Griquatown Coins. As reflected above and noted below Campbell was, by his own admission, a man who wrote with fervour - but often created an ideal in his writing without actually bringing it to fruition.

Though I have presented these Walks of Usefulness to the public , I have to confess, with shame, that they describe in many instances, what might have been done, rather than what, in many cases, I have really done.

NOTE: A transcript of the relevant pages of "Journal of Travel in South Africa" together with digital mages of the relevant pages can be seen at this link.

Three copies of this extremely rare and valuable 1834 edition of the book, with slight discolouration on some pages is held in the Balson Holdings Family Trust collection.

Journey to Lattakoo in South Africa
by Rev John Campbell (1834)

Like Campbell's fascinating fifth edition 1834 work "Journal of travels to South Africa" which exposes his "Griquatown Coin" furphy this small (15cm by 10cm) 204 page book looks at a specific part of his trip to Lattakoo covered in his earlier book about his second trip to South Africa. 

The book carries a short piece about Griquatown where Campbell experienced a total eclipse of the sun at 4pm on the 14th March 1820. Campbell also talks about the death at this time of eight Griqua through a lightening strike at the small settlement of Hardcastle.   

It is in this book that Campbell goes into graphic detail (pp 187) about a fight that allegedly took place between Dam Kok and a large lion when the beast had put a small bushman kraal under siege. The humanitarian theme was not lost on Dr Philip who later granted Dam Kok the ownership of the lands now known as the Orange Free State. Of course the bushmen were the Griqua's enemy ... and Philip had become an accomplice in their extermination through his actions.

Frontpiece of book

Journal of Travels in South Africa - abridged by Rev John Campbell (1835)
- Rev John Campbell

This fascinating 228 page second edition work (without any maps) is a concise version of Campbell's earlier "Travels in South Africa". In this work Campbell summarises much of his trip while keeping in all the important and relevant pieces. The book was written by Campbell twenty years after his first visit, and nearly the same period after his published work based on the journals of his first trip were published. With this in mind it is clear that Campbell would have had plenty of time to reflect on the fact and fantasy reflected in the journals of his first trip.

This extremely important and rare book, just six inches high by four inches across, has the same frontpiece image as the 1815 work but reflects the important variation from transcript of his journal to "abridged by the author". (This book is rarer than the the 1834 first edition and earlier published works on his travels).

The context of the pages dealing with August 7th, the date Campbell had the historic meeting with the Griquas - at which time their name was changed - is perfectly summarised in this abridged version with one very significant point of difference.

NO REFERENCE TO ANY DISCUSSION WITH THE GRIQUAS ABOUT MINTING COINS THROUGH THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Image right below: Frontpiece of the abridged "Journal of Travels in South Africa" carries the same image and similar format as the earlier (1815) transcribed journal of his travels. Second edition (1835) dated on this page.

In fact, the paragraph transcribed in the 1815 work at this link is totally omitted by Campbell and is replaced by a subject not covered in this earlier work. Campbell says, on pages 167 and 168:

Many of the people have gardens; tobacco holds a distinguished place in them. It evidently is the favoured plant. Many acres of land in different parts of the country, especially around Griqua Town are cultivated. They abound in horned cattle, sheep and goats; and these, with other outward comforts, the people acknowledge, have considerably increased since they became a stationery people.

and

Regular trades cannot be said yet to exist in Griqualand.  

The first paragraph discusses the basic level of farming that the Griquas had attained. The second statement is a reality check that flies in the face of the grandois ideals of minting coins - as transcribed from his journals in "Travels in South Africa". In fact it screams out as an admission by Campbell of his reporting fantasy as opposed to recording fact. This revised second edition again OMITS any reference to the Griquatown Coins. As reflected above and noted below Campbell was, by his own admission, a man who wrote with fervour - but often created an ideal in his writing without actually bringing it to fruition.

Though I have presented these Walks of Usefulness to the public , I have to confess, with shame, that they describe in many instances, what might have been done, rather than what, in many cases, I have really done.

NOTE: A transcript of the relevant pages of "Journal of Travel in South Africa" together with digital mages of the relevant pages can be seen at this link.

A single copy of this extremely rare and valuable book, with slight discolouration on some pages is held in the Balson Holdings Family Trust collection.

Journey to Lattakoo in South Africa
by Rev John Campbell (1835)

Like Campbell's fascinating second print, 1835, work "Journal of travels to South Africa" this small (15cm by 10cm) 207 page revised book looks at a specific part of his trip to Lattakoo covered in his earlier book about his second trip to South Africa. 

The book carries a short piece about Griquatown where Campbell experienced a total eclipse of the sun at 4pm on the 14th March 1820. Campbell also talks about the death at this time of eight Griqua through a lightening strike at the small settlement of Hardcastle.   

It is in this book that Campbell goes into graphic detail (pp 187) about a fight that allegedly took place between Dam Kok and a large lion when the beast had put a small bushman kraal under siege. The humanitarian theme was not lost on Dr Philip who later granted Dam Kok the ownership of the lands now known as the Orange Free State. Of course the bushmen were the Griqua's enemy ... and Philip had become an accomplice in their extermination through his actions.

Frontpiece of book

Journal of Travels in South Africa - abridged by Rev John Campbell (1840)
- Rev John Campbell

This fascinating 228 page work (without any maps) is a concise and final version of Campbell's earlier "Travels in South Africa". In this work Campbell summarises much of his trip while keeping in all the important and relevant pieces. The book was written by Campbell twenty years after his first visit, and nearly the same period after his published work based on the journals of his first trip were published. With this in mind it is clear that Campbell would have had plenty of time to reflect on the fact and fantasy reflected in the journals of his first trip.

This extremely important and rare book, just six inches high by four inches across, has the same frontpiece image as the 1815 work but reflects the important variation from transcript of his journal to "abridged by the author". (This book is in fact far rarer than the earlier published works on his travels).

The context of the pages dealing with August 7th, the date Campbell had the historic meeting with the Griquas - at which time their name was changed - is perfectly summarised in this abridged version with one very significant point of difference.

NO REFERENCE TO ANY DISCUSSION WITH THE GRIQUAS ABOUT MINTING COINS THROUGH THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Image right below: Frontpiece of the abridged "Journal of Travels in South Africa" carries the same image and similar format as the earlier (1815) transcribed journal of his travels. First edition (1834) undated on this page.

In fact, the paragraph transcribed in the 1815 work at this link is totally omitted by Campbell and is replaced by a subject not covered in this earlier work. Campbell says, on pages 174 and 175:

Many of the people have gardens; tobacco holds a distinguished place in them. It evidently is the favoured plant. Many acres of land in different parts of the country, especially around Griqua Town are cultivated. They abound in horned cattle, sheep and goats; and these, with other outward comforts, the people acknowledge, have considerably increased since they became a stationery people.

and

Regular trades cannot be said yet to exist in Griqualand.  

The first paragraph discusses the basic level of farming that the Griquas had attained. The second statement is a reality check that flies in the face of the grandois ideals of minting coins - as transcribed from his journals in "Travels in South Africa". In fact it screams out as an admission by Campbell of his reporting fantasy as opposed to recording fact. This first edition edit by Campbell OMITS any reference to the Griquatown Coins. As reflected above and noted below Campbell was, by his own admission, a man who wrote with fervour - but often created an ideal in his writing without actually bringing it to fruition.

Though I have presented these Walks of Usefulness to the public , I have to confess, with shame, that they describe in many instances, what might have been done, rather than what, in many cases, I have really done.

NOTE: A transcript of the relevant pages of "Journal of Travel in South Africa" together with digital mages of the relevant pages can be seen at this link.

One copy of this extremely rare and valuable book, with slight discolouration on some pages and loose front board is held in the Balson Holdings Family Trust collection.

Voyages to and from the Cape of Good Hope with an account of a journey into the interior of S Africa by Rev John Campbell (1840)

Published for the Religious Tract Society, this 248 page book with several illustrations (some shown below) has a blind stamped cloth and gilt spine. (Illustrations sale as 1830 edition above).

Description of the book from the front:

This 16cm by 10cm sized book is a condensed description of his second voyage to S. Africa, 1819-21 and is "intended for the young". The full account of his second voyage appeared in 2 vols. in 1822.

Interestingly the entire second trip to Griquatown is omitted from this edition of Campbell's book.

Publisher: In the 1830 edition (above it was the Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication, but in this 1840 edition is published by the Religious Tract Society with no reference to the Board. (See image of frontispiece below).

One copy of this extremely rare 1840 edition in very good is held in the Balson Holdings Family Trust collection. (No copies of this books are available for sale on the Internet).

Campbell was known for his fanciful writing

Frontispiece	Menu

Six Letters on the Church Question
by Rev John Campbell (1840)

These letters totalling 30 pages have been removed from a nonce volume are signed on the title page by the Rev John Campbell.

One of those amazing collectables whose history is now lost in time!

A unique item and extremely rare item held by the Balson Holdings Family Trust.

Memorials of South Africa
by Barnabus Shaw (1841)

Account by a Wesleyan missionary which incorporates Christian observations and descriptions of the peoples and life of South Africa.. This is the First American Edition which was reproduced in 1970.

Fascinating insight into South Africa in the early days. You can see through the imbalance of white men to women how the seeds of the Griqua population were formed.

The information includes the number of white settlers in the colony in 1688:

• Men: 254
• Women: 88
• Boys: 119
• Girls: 112
• Servants: 39
• Male Slaves: 230
• Female Slaves: 44
• Children: 36:
• Total: 922 

A unique item and extremely rare item held by the Balson Holdings Family Trust.

Evangelical Magazine
by Various (1845)

The Missionary Magazine and Chronicle hardbound; Relating Chiefly to the Missions of various missionary societies including the London Missionary Society.

Contents include:

• Articles on the Kat River Settlement
• A man orphaned in 1822 by the Griqua Bergenaars
• The death of a Missionary's wife in Griquatown
• Feedback on Lattakoo and Kuruman

Image at front of book

Gospel among the Bechuanas
by Robert Moffat (1846 and 1885 editions)

This 300 page hard-covered first edition book, printed by the Philadelphia American Sunday School Union, used to be in the Library of the Colgate-Rochester Divinity School.

The book has been inscribed with the words Brethren "how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard" and signed by Robert Moffat. (See image below).

The first edition 1846 edition dark cover seen right with later 1885 light cover. (Both books have the same number of pages but the later edition is slightly larger).

The book covers in some detail the work of Moffat on Jager Africaner and his brother Titus - both feared outlaws that the great missionary converted to God-fearing men.

This rare book in worn condition is held by the Balson Holdings Family Trust.

Cover of 1846 edition	Book inscribed by Robert Moffat	Plates	from book
Cover of 1885 edition	The chapter on Africaner

Evangelical Magazine
by Various (1846)

The Evangelical Magazine hardbound over 700 pages for the year 1846; carrying a variety of articles and feedback from mission around the world.

The book starts with the tragic death of Rev William Philip, son of the London Missionary Society's superintendent in S Africa Rev John Philip after whom Philippolis is named. William drowned in the Gamtoos river and was only found the next day.

Contents include:

• Articles on the Kat River Settlement
• The death of Rev William Philip
• Reference to Moffat's book

This rare document is held by the Balson Holdings Family Trust .

Image at front of book

The Kafir, the Hottentot and the Frontier Farmer 
passages of Missionary Life -
Archdeacon Nathaniel James Merriman (1853)

Ppii + 216, black and white and 3 coloured illustrations, folding map, mustard blind-stamped cloth with gilt lettering.

The book, Merriman's 1850 diary, was published by the Bishop of Cape Town after Merriman's death.

It records in diary form the background to the Kat River rebellion by the Hottentots.

Merriman describes the Griquas of Griquatown and Philippolis on page 84 as being unable "to keep a shop; not from any deficiency or mathematical or inability to keep the books , but from the impossibility which they find in preventing their countrymen from getting into debt, or making them pay debts when they have contracted them. In fact, there is an universal prevelance of social dishonesty among them, and almost as universal a prevelance of the questionable quality of a "good nature", so called, that they cannot say "no" to a begging idler or fellow countryman."

Two copies of this rare book in excellent condition are held by the Balson Holdings Family Trust.

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Visit to Moselekatse, King of the Matabele -
Robert Moffat - 1856

This rare document numbering over 20 pages is taken from a magazine and includes the map seen right.

The document is bound in a contemporary blue card cover and is very rare. 

The document is Moffat's diary of his visit north of the Limpopo to meet Moselekatse and includes his failed attempt to find Dr Livingstone to the north.

The document gives a rare insight to how highly regarded Moffat was amongst African tribes - including those hundreds of miles from Kuruman, where his mission station was based.

This rare document is held by the Balson Holdings Family Trust .

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1857 Missionary Chronicle Magazine -

This rare magazine, numbering 800 pages, covers the worldwide exploits of missionaries from the London Missionary Society.

The book is just 6 inches by 9 inches and both covering boards have become detached. The book contains several interesting plates including the one of Dr Livingstone below.

Articles include:

• Fine fold-out map of Livingston's journeys in Africa.
• The Rev. Dr. Livingston's Missionary Journeys and Discoveries in Central South Africa ( extensive )
• Livingston Testimonial Meeting, Capetown.
• The Past and Present of the Griqua Missions.

This rare book is held by the Balson Holdings Family Trust .

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Notes on the Holy Bible -
(1857) John Campbell

This rare hard covered book (A5 size) is published by Glasgow: W. R. M'Phun & Son, 1857.

Blindstamped brown leather covers with fleur de lys and scroll patterning and blind rules. Spine has five raised bands with further stamping, five inverted gilt leaves and title in gilt. Wear to hinges. All edges are gilt and there are thick gilt dentelles and a tissue guarded frontispiece of the Rev. Campbell. The Bible contains a number of line coloured maps and to the rear is a set of Standard Psalm Tunes sung in Scotland and blank four stave music and the Hymns, the Psalms of David and a Biblical Cyclopaedia. Some handling marks.. Full-Leather. Very Good. 12mo - over 6!" - 7!" tall. , Publisher: W. R. M'Phun & Son

This rare book is held by the Balson Holdings Family Trust .

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Missionary travels and researches in South Africa - Dr David Livingstone
1857 - first edition, and 1858 edition

Anyone who knows anything about Africa knows that famous statement between Stanley and Livingstone "Dr Livingstone I presume?" made when they met for the first time in the wilds of darkest Africa - allegedly near what is now known as Victoria Falls on the Zambesi river.

It was Livingstone who met the resident missionary of Griqua Town, Robert Moffat's daughter, and married her forging a bond between two great missionary groups. Livingstone describes his meeting with Moffat in Griqua Town, the people, the

The book comes with pull out maps and fascinating drawings of people, scenery and animals recorded by the great man.

See also this link with more on Livingstone's travels through the Missionary Magazines

This rare first edition copy held by the Balson Holdings Family Trust has been signed by Dr Livingstone (see below) - the BHFT also holds an unsigned copy (1858 American edition) and has transcribed the entire book onto the web at this link.

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Livingstone's Explorations in South Africa - Dr David Livingstone
1858 first edition

The complete title of this book is "Livingstone's Explorations and Travels in South Africa".

This book is dated 1858 and is a first edition. The book measures 5 1/4 by 7 3/4 inches and contains 446 pages of text and then several pages of books published by J W Bradley. The binding is tight and the book is in good condition. There are pencil scribble marks all the way in the back. The very back page is torn. There is no text on that page. There are also names written in the front of the book. There is foxing throughout the book and several illustrations.

This rare first edition copy held by the Balson Holdings Family Trust is in good condition.