[Boer War]. NORWELL, James Proctor

Snap Shots from the Front by J.P.N. [cover title of an album of Boer War photographs]

An album (209 × 236 mm), containing 199 gelatin silver photographs loosely inserted behind window mounts (visible image size 51 × 77 mm), four to a page on both sides of 25 card leaves; almost all of them have a small printed caption (numbered 1-200) neatly trimmed and mounted on slips of paper, loosely inserted in a small window below each photograph. One caption is in pencil, a handful don't have captions; some have additional information supplied in pencil; there are numerous dates from Number 1 to 156 (5 February to 13 October 1900), and Number 191 is dated 3 January 1901. Nine photographs between numbers 9 and 44 are out of order, but all are present; number 111 is the only blank space in the album.

Contemporary half leather and cloth worn at the corners, with the spine broken and lacking sections; album broken near the centre, damaging two window mounts (easily repaired); all blemishes are confined to the album, and the contents are in excellent condition.

The album was compiled by a Dundee volunteer, 8934 Private James Proctor Norwell, 1st Volunteer Battalion Royal Highlanders (Black Watch); the commanding officer was 7727 Lieutenant Alistair Valentine. The first dozen, starting with '1. Cleaning Rifles. (Perth Ranges)' in the snow, were taken before Cape Town was reached. The rest were taken in the field; apart from photographs of Indigenous people (mainly Basutos), and rough camp life, there are many graphic images of battle and its aftermath: '15. Cronje's Guns captured at Paardeberg'; '18. An Officer's Funeral'; '33. Group of 1st Section, two members of which have since died'; '40. Stretcher Bearers ready for Service'; '61. Preparing for Action - pipes and drums to the rear'; '64. Bringing in Boer Prisoners'; '68. Hector Macdonald giving Orders to carry the Position at Retief's Nek'; '73. Sniping from behind Ant Heap'; '104. Lieutenant Valentine's Mess Room, Valentine Kop'; '117. Bringing the Guns into Action, Retief's Nek'; '120. Resting after taking Honing Kop'; '124. The Fate of a Spy' and '168. His Last Day' (both gallows scenes); '126. Kaffir Prisoners'; '130. Boer Commando in Kroonstadt'; '137. Lieutenant Smith - wounded at Retrief's [sic] Nek'; '153. Hector and his Staff entering Heilbron'; '159. Boer Prisoners at Schoolhouse, De Aar'; '184. One of the 1st V.B.R.H., after 13 months' campaign'; and '192. Cookhouse and Mess Room, Swaartlaagte'. Two on the last page are captioned 'St. Vincent - on our way home'.

Item #135819

Price (AUD): $3,000.00
other currencies