Selborne, William Waldegrave Palmer - THE SELBORNE MEMORANDUM (1925)

A review of the mutual relations of the British South African colonies in 1907.

"The Selborne Memorandum" (officially titled "A Review of the Present Mutual Relations of the British South African Colonies" and published in 1907 by the Colonial Office), is a pivotal document authored primarily by Lionel Curtis under Lord Selborne, the British High Commissioner for South Africa. It argued that the separate British South African colonies were economically and politically interdependent, advocating for closer union or unification to resolve issues like railway disputes and economic instability. It's purpose was to make a historical and practical case for the unification of the British South African colonies (Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange River Colony) with an explanation that individual colonies could not effectively manage common issues like railways, customs, and native policy, stating they were "part of one whole".

With a two multiple folding maps (Map of the British Empire with Trade Routes to the America, Australia and the East; and Map of British South Africa) and three folding diagrams.

London, Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press, 1925; 20,5 x 14 cm; Original red cloth harcovers. Gilt lettering to the front board and spine; Text in English; Collation complete – False title, Title page, xxvii, 184 pages, with folding maps and folding diagrams; Ex-library copy. Binding with usual shelf wear, some discoloration, extremities little bumped, spine sligtly sunned and rubbed. Othervise the binding is tight and firm, keeps strong and secure, joints and hinges are whole and secure. Ex-library label and a few annotations by pen to the front paste down and inventory barcode to the front free endpaper. A small library stamp to the preliminary page. Pages/text block well preserved, very bright and clear, no foxing or marks throughout, only little yellowing. A sound copy.