Marthinus Theunis Steyn. 'n Lewensbeskrywing

(Cape Town: Nasionale Pers, 1921). Two demy 8vo volumes; original dark blue cloth, with orange lettering to spine; pp. (iv) + vii + (iii) + 275, (vi) + 365; frontis. portrait with tissue guard in each volume; plates. Cloth somewhat worn; archival tape strengthening to joints and hinges of first volume, and to lower joint of second; duct tape repairs to head and tail of backstrip in first volume; earlier owner's hand-stamp to half-title in first volume, and front free endpaper in second, with gift inscription also on second volume's front endpaper; some archival tape reinforcing to gutters of first volume; a few plates working loose; a little foxing. Good, working copies. Afrikaans text. (Nienaber I, p. 246) "With his passing, the Afrikaner nation lost one of its most outstanding leaders. He appeared on the public scene at a time when South Africa was in a state of turmoil as a result of opposing political viewpoints. With statesman-like wisdom, he attempted to conciliate Kruger and Milner and avert war. Although his efforts were unsuccessful, his honest, moderate but firm conduct in controversial matters gained the respect of friend and foe and laid the foundation for co-operation between the various parties after the war. When the Afrikaner nation became politically divided, Steyn was the only binding factor. Although his political views were embodied in Hertzog's programme of principles, he never became totally estranged from Botha. One of Steyn's outstanding achievements was, indeed, the fact that he enjoyed the trust of friend and foe at all times." - DSAB II, p. 715 .