Baericke, Max Ewald - LÜDERITZBUCHT: HISTORICAL RECOLLECTIONS OF AN OLD DIAMOND PROSPECTOR...

We are offering here an extremelly rare first edition copy of the scarce title "Lüderitzbucht: Historical recollections of an Old Diamond Prospector from the German Diamond Era in South West Africa between 1908 and 1914, with a historical introduction"". With color map and 79 illustrations. Foreword and editing by Helmut Bistri.

Contents:

Foreword;
Preliminary Note;
Historical Background up to 1908;
The Discovery of the Diamond Fields,
The Kaukausib Valley Diamond Company (Kaukausibtal-Diamanten-Gesellschaft m.b.H.);
The Pomona Diamond and Fishing Company (Pomona-Diamanten-Fischerei G.m.b.H.);
The Small Package in the Doghouse;
The Hottentot Paradise,
The Pomona Diamond Company (Pomona-Diamanten-Gesellschaft m.b.H.);
Kolmanskop Diamonds on the Vaal River;
Dernburg in South West [Africa];
Thieme’s Final Hour;
August Stauch;
Emil Kreplin;
Baron von Wolff;
The Dunbeth;
The Innkeeper of the Schützenhaus;
Homes;
Barmaids;
Life in Lüderitzbucht,
Index of Places, Names, and Subjects.

"The memoirs of the author, Max Ewald Baericke, concerning his time in the diamond fields of Lüderitzbucht, exist only as transcripts or copies held by a few individuals and have not been accessible to the general public. In 1989 - more than thirty years after they were written - they appeared in the *Namibia Nachrichten* as a series of 33 instalments, attracting considerable interest at the time. Furthermore, they are mentioned or indirectly referenced in a number of books. The Namibia Scientific Society has therefore decided to publish these accounts in book form.

Little is known about the author himself. Despite intensive research, it has not been possible to locate any of his descendants. It is known, however - based on his own accounts - that in 1914 he was working as a building contractor. He served as a reservist during the punitive expedition led by Franke against the Angolan fort of Naulila; on December 13, 1914, he was taken prisoner by the Portuguese and spent five years in various prisons and internment camps in Angola before returning to Germany in 1919. These memoirs were published in 1981 by the Swakopmund Scientific Society under the title "Naulila." In 1937, Baericke returned to Angola; on March 13, 1960, he was shot and killed by an unknown assailant.

The manuscript has been revised, though it remains largely in its original form to preserve the author’s unique style. A few minor corrections were necessary, however, to eliminate excessive repetition, rectify factual errors, and update phrasing that is no longer in line with contemporary usage.

To provide the reader with a better understanding of the conditions at the time, images and maps from that era have been included, supplemented by photographs taken in what is now the 'Sperrgebiet' (restricted diamond area). These images were captured by Frank Wittneben during several expeditions and are being made available to the public for the first time in this book. I owe him a great debt of gratitude. During my search for historical documents at the Namibia Scientific Society, the National Archives of Namibia, the Sam Cohen Library in Swakopmund, and the museum in Lüderitz, the library staff were consistently helpful. Mr. Gunter von Schumann helped me access numerous sources, provided valuable insights, and facilitated important connections. Ms. Ingrid Jordan and Ms. Ingrid Demasius kindly undertook the task of proofreading. Mr. Jochen Kutzner was always ready to assist whenever issues arose at the National Archives, and Mr. Werner Hillebrecht clarified questions regarding copyright. Ms. Gisela Schmidt and her husband, Hans, provided support at the museum in Lüderitz. I also extend my thanks to Mr. Gerd Keding, who made his private collection of images available to me and offered many helpful suggestions."

(from the Foreword by Helmut Bistri)

"Lüderitzbucht: Historische Erinnerungen eines alten Diamantensuchers aus der deutschen Diamantenzeit in Südwestafrika zwischen den Jahren 1908 und 1914 mit einer geschichtlichen Einleitung. Mit einer Kartenbeilage und 79 Abbildungen. Vorwort und Bearbeitung, Helmut Bistri."; Windhoek/Namibia, Namibia Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft, 2001; First edition; Illustrated softcover; 21 x 15 cm; Text in German; Collation complete - Half-title, (1), Title page, 189 pages, with 79 b&w illustrations and folded color map at the rear; Overall in near fine condition. Paperback binding with negligible shelf wear. The content is in fine condition, bright and clean without any faults, the volume seems never been opened before. The only and insignificant fault is a trace of the price written in pencil to the upper corner of the front free endpaper blank page.