The Old Cape Colony - her men and houses

The Old Cape Colony - her men and houses
Embark on a journey through South Africa’s early history with Alys Fane Trotter’s remarkable book, a celebration of the people, places, and homes that shaped the Cape’s heritage.

With passion, determination, and her trusted bicycle, Trotter spent years visiting, exploring, and sketching the region’s oldest farms, historic estates, and gabled houses, preserving their stories for generations to come. This book is her loving tribute to the pioneers, governors, and settlers who laid the foundation of the Cape Colony.

Packed with over 80 beautiful drawings and sketches by the author herself, this book brings to life the charm and character of a bygone era. Trotter’s meticulous research delves into the personal lives of the earliest settlers, the history of iconic estates, and the contributions of governors and Company officials who played pivotal roles in shaping the Cape’s identity. Her unique perspective captures the soul of these historic landmarks and the vibrant stories of those who called them home.

Organised into 12 fascinating chapters, the book explores the settlement of Table Bay, the lives and legacies of the Van der Stel governors, the enduring beauty of Stellenbosch, Drakenstein, Franschhoek, Paarl, Tulbagh, and beyond. It traces the early grants of land, the intrigue of colonial commerce, and the cultural exchanges that defined the Cape’s unique place in history.

Highlights include:

• Insights into the Cape’s early laws, settlers, and architecture.
• Vivid depictions of the region’s historic homes and the stories behind them.
• A richly detailed bibliography and comprehensive index for easy reference.

This 319 page book (PDF format, ±70mb) is a window into the Cape’s past. Filled with inspiration, artistry, and a deep appreciation for its heritage, it is a treasure waiting to be explored.

The Table of Contents and the Preface can be found here and here respectively.

The Old Cape Colony - her men and houses
Met passie, deursettingsvermoë – en die fiets aan wie sy die boek opdra – het Alys Fane Trotter jare spandeer om Kaap se oudste plase, historiese landgoede en gegewelde huise te besoek, te verken en te skets. Hierdie merkwaardige boek is haar huldeblyk aan die pioniers, goewerneurs en setlaars wat die Kaapkolonie se letterlike en figuurlike fondasies gelê het.

Die meer as 80 prag-tekeninge en sketse laat die bekoring en karakter van ’n vervloë era weer oplewe. Trotter delf noukeurig in in die persoonlike lewens van die vroegste setlaars, die geskiedenis van landgoede asook die bydraes van die goewerneurs en Kompanjiemanne wat sleutelrolle gespeel het in die vorming van die Kaapse identiteit. 

In 12 fassinerende hoofstukke verken die boek die nedersetting van Tafelbaai, die lewens en nalatenskap van die Van der Stel-goewerneurs, en die blywende skoonheid van Stellenbosch, Drakenstein, Franschhoek, Paarl, Tulbagh en ander areas. Die vroeë toekennings van grond, die intriges van koloniale handel, en die kulturele uitruilings wat die Kaap se unieke plek in die geskiedenis bepaal het, word ook bespreek.

Hoogtepunte sluit in:

• Insigte oor die Kaap se vroeë wette, setlaars en argitektuur.
• Lewendige uitbeeldings van die streek se historiese huise en die verhale daaragter.
• ’n Ryk gedetailleerde bibliografie en omvattende indeks vir maklike naslaan.

Die 319 bladsye van dierdie boek (PDF formaat, ±70mb) skyn op unieke wyse die lig op die Kaap se interesssante verlede. Gevul met inspirasie en ’n diep waardering vir die erfenis van die ou Kaapkolonie, is hierdie boek werklik 'n kleinnood.

Die Inhoudsopgawe en Voorwoord is onderskeidelik hier en hier te siene.