Cetywayo & His White Neighbours by H. Rider Haggard with Author's Letter to Lord Avebury

Published by Trübner, 1882

First Edition, First Impression. One of only 750 copies printed.

This is a remarkably well-preserved first edition of H. Rider Haggard's "Cetywayo and His White Neighbours; or, Recent Events in Zululand, Natal, and the Transvaal," published by Trübner & Co. in 1882. This is one of only 750 copies printed, a venture for which Haggard himself paid £50, largely funded by his father. The book is presented in its original green cloth, retaining its unrestored condition.

Accompanying this rare edition is an original letter from H. Rider Haggard to Sir John Lubbock, Lord Avebury, dated 28th May 1903. The letter, penned from Haggard’s residence at 27 Norfolk Square, Hyde Park, London, W., expresses gratitude for a pleasant breakfast. Haggard writes, "I trust you won't think me a great bore for trying to propagate my views. The question is really important," presumably highlighting the book's critical commentary on the colonial situation in South Africa. Sir John Lubbock, Lord Avebury (1834-1913), was a prominent polymath: a banker, politician, scientist, and writer. He was particularly well-known for his contributions to archaeology and his advocacy for public holidays. His wide-ranging interests and influence made him a significant figure in Victorian society, and Haggard clearly valued his opinion.

Cetywayo and His White Neighbours" is Haggard's first book, a critical analysis of the complex political dynamics in South Africa during a pivotal period. Haggard's personal experiences in the region, initially sent there by his father to escape an ill-fated romance, provided the foundation for this work. Despite his initial successes in South Africa, the heartbreak of his failed romance led him to a period of instability, including a foray into ostrich farming, before his return to England in 1879. Upon his return he quickly married Louisa Margitson, and after a further spell in South Africa, he returned to England with new responsibilities. With his marriage and growing family, Haggard sought stability, leading him to pursue a career at the bar and to embark on his literary journey with this publication.

Despite its importance as a historical document and Haggard's first published work, "Cetywayo and His White Neighbours" initially met with limited success. Trübner & Co. agreed to publish the 750-copy edition, with the financial risk largely borne by Haggard's father. Haggard later lamented the book's "total failure" at the time, with only 154 copies sold nearly two years after its release. It was only after the phenomenal success of "King Solomon's Mines" in 1885 that public interest in his earlier work was rekindled, leading to the eventual sale of the remaining copies and subsequent editions. This presentation copy, with its accompanying letter, offers a unique glimpse into the early career of one of Victorian England's most celebrated authors and provides valuable context for understanding his later literary achievements.