THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA. Its Cause and Conduct

1902. London: Smith, Elder, & Co., 1902. Original white wrappers.

First Edition of Doyle's third piece of nonfiction, published two months before THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES. He wrote this piece, drawing considerably from his THE GREAT BOER WAR (of 1900), in an effort "to stem the extraordinary outbreak of defamation" against Britain; it was issued in substantial numbers and was immediately translated into many languages, as a publicity campaign for Britain's purpose in the war. It is nonetheless scarce in desirable condition today, due to its fragility. This copy is remarkably near-fine, with very little soil or wear. One can see, at the top of the front wrapper, the erased signature of "L. Ropner" and the date "27.1.02" -- eleven days after publication. This was likely a member of the German-British shipbuilding / shipowner family (originally Röpner) in the UK, later elevated to the peerage. Green & Gibson B3a.