"There is no retreat from here, men; you must die where you stand!"
...."Ay, Ay, Sir Colin, if needs be we'll do that."

Dawn of Majuba!

The revenge of the British Defeat
Dawn of Majuba, (surrender of Cronje), Morning After R. Caton Woodville. London. 1900 [1995]

R. Caton Woodville was well known for his exacting portrayal of episodes of Victorian military history. He exhibited at the Royal Academy, London. The Thomas Ross Company were the original printers of this photogravure and they have struck this image from their original plate.

The scene depicts the revenge of the British defeat at the first Battle of Majuba Hill, Transvaal, (27Feb. 1881,). The engagement depicted here, some 19 years after the first battle, occurred during the Battle for Paardeberg, where troops of the 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment & 1st Canadian Highland Regiment distinguished themselves; The Boer General Piet Cronje was forced to surrender with some 4000 men, taking them out of the Boer War.

The original painting after which this scarce photogravure was made now hangs in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Handcoloured Photogravure restrike from the original plate. Approx. Plate size 34 x 22 1/2"
Click for more information on the printing technique.

Ref. LRA 524/ANV>ELN   Price Code B  SOLD Click Here for Pricing Details

ANOTHER COPY: THE DAWN OF MAJUBA DAY 1900 Offset reproduction 24 5/8 x 16" (62.5 x 40.7 cm)  including text below image. Glazed,Wood frame 28 1/2 x 21". Ref. GC13(210)/RN/a.anae> DSN PRICE CODE B

THE SLOPE OF LAING’S NECK [sic]
Evening January 28. Double page wood engraving published in the Illustrated London News April 2nd 1881   Image 16 1/2 x 11 5/8     Ref. LRA /-/d.anae > EL            PRICE CODE A

Following the Boer declaration of independence for the Transvaal in 1880 the British suffered a series of disastrous defeats in attempting to regain the territory.
The British Natal Field Force, commanded by General Colley, gathered his force at Newcastle in Natal, dispatched an ultimatum to the Boers and, on its rejection, advanced towards the Transvaal border.
The first British camp on the march lay some 4 miles short of Laing’s Nek, a ridge in the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains that blocked the road between Newcastle and Standerton in Natal South Africa. On the morning of 28 January, Colley tried to force a way through the pass, with a loss of 84 killed and 113 wounded. The Battle of Laing's Nek was a major battle fought during the First Boer War on 28 January 1881.
Laing’s Nek is memorable as the last occasion that a British regiment took its colours into action.

SIR GEORGE COLLEY’S MIDNIGHT ASCENT OF MAJUBA HILL February 23
Single page wood engraving published in the Illustrated London News April 23rd. 1881
The two small inset portrait show Major Fraser, and Mr. Cameron the special correspondent to the "Standard.". Report on verso.
Image 11 7/8 x 8 1/2     Ref. LRA /-/d.anae > EL PRICE CODE A

The first Battle of Majuba Hill on 27 February 1881 was the final and decisive battle of the First Boer War and was a resounding victory for the Boers. The British General Sir George Colley’s force of 405 British Soldiers occupied the summit of the hill on the night of 26–27 February 1881, but failed to bring artillery with them, enabling the Boer marksmen to encircle the hill and engage the British troops at long range causing their disorganized retreat and one of the "most humiliating" defeats suffered by the British in their military history.

THE SCENE AS THE LAST OF OUR MEN, RETREATED FROM MAJUBA HILL February 27
Single page wood engraving published in the Illustrated London News April 23rd. 1881
Image 12 1/4 x 9 1/4     Ref. LRA /-/d.anae > EL       PRICE CODE A
The British underestimated the fighting ability and determination of the Boers and made fatal errors at the Battle of Majuba Hill in 1881.
In a little more than half an hour it was all over, the Boers gaining a complete victory. At the cost of an amazing loss of only one killed and six wounded, the Boers had virtually destroyed Colley’s force and sent the shattered remnants fleeing down the hill for their lives. Out of the 405 British troops on the hill, 85 were killed, including Colley; 119 wounded; and 35 captured; totalling 239 casualties, or 59 percent of the entire force.

THE TRANSVAAL WAR: GENERAL SIR GEORGE COLLEY AT THE BATTLE OF MAJUBA MOUNTAIN JUST BEFORE HE WAS KILLED.
Single page wood engraving published in the Illustrated London News May 14th. 1881
plus descriptive text recto & verso.
Image 11 3/8 x 8 3/8     Ref. LRA /-/d.anae > EL        PRICE CODE A
Major General Sir George Pomeroy Colley makes his last stand atop Majuba Hill, Sunday, February 27 1881 from a sketch by special ILN. artist Mr. Melton Prior. Colley is surrounded by soldiers of 92nd Gordon Highlanders who made a valiant defence. The revelation that professionally-trained soldiers were defeated by young Boer farm-boys armed with rifles, led by a smattering of older soldiers proved to be a major blow to Britain's prestige and negotiating position in the treaty that ended the war.

THE TRANSVAAL WAR: SIGNING THE TERMS OF PEACE WITH THE BOERS AT O'NEILL'S FARM, NEAR PROSPECT HILL CAMP. MARCH 21st.
Together with:THANKSGIVING SERVICE IN THE BOER CAMP AFTER THE SIGNING OF THE TREATY OF PEACE.
Single page wood engravings published in the Illustrated London News  May 14th. 1881
Two Views.  Image 13 5/8 x 8  7/8  Ref.LRA/-/d.anae> LN    PRICE CODE  A
 
After the Battle of Majuba the cottage, home of Eugene O’Neill, which lay in “no mans land” between the British and Boer forces became a makeshift hospital for British after their defeat at Majuba.  There are three graves on the site. The peace treaty ending the war was negotiated here in March 1881, between Sir Evelyn Wood, Redvers Buller, General Petrus Johannes Joubert and Paul Kruger were conducted in this tiny dwelling situated below Majuba Hill. The inconvenience must have been enormous, especially for Mrs. O’Neil, and she no doubt was kept busy making cups of coffee and tea.

THE TRANSVAAL WAR: HOISTING THE REPUBLICAN FLAG IN THE BOER CAMP. AFTER THE DECLARATION OF PEACE. together with. BOERS AND THE WIVES, WAITING THE ARRIVAL OF SIR EVELYN WOOD, AFTER THE DECLARATION OF PEACE.
Single page wood engravings published in the Illustrated London News  May 14th. 1881
Two Views.  Image 13 ½  x 8  7/8  Ref.LRA/-/d.anae> LN    PRICE CODE  A
 
Sir Evelyn Wood, a prominent military figure of his time, hoisting the Republican flag at a Boer camp. The atmosphere is tense as soldiers and their wives anxiously wait for news on the declaration of peace. The artist Charles Robinson skillfully portrays the emotions felt by both sides involved in this conflict. From the determined expression on Sir Evelyn Wood's face to the worried looks exchanged between wives and soldiers, every aspect tells a story of its own. It encapsulates an important chapter in South African history and sheds light on the struggles faced by all parties during that tumultuous period.

CANADIANS AT THE BATTLE OF PAARDEBERG
FEB'RY 1900

Colour Lithograph after A. H. Hider published as a supplement to the Weekly Globe 1901
16 1/4 x 31 3/4 " matted, glazed, wood frame 23 1/4 x 29 1/4"

Ref.CG5(210)/DNN/ dn.anar> ENN Sold  PRICE CODE B

7000 Canadians served in the colonial Boer War conflict. In the foreground of this dramatic image mules bring up more ammunition, as 31 Canadian soldiers are killed and wounded during the bloody firefight. Calmly in the midst stands Col. Otter (who had distinguished himself during the Canadian Northwest Rebellion of Riel). Beyond the Canadian lines are seen the Boer wagons on fire in their laager.

DASHING ADVANCE OF THE CANADIANS AT PAARDEBERG

A gallant deed, worthy of our Colonial Comrades
DASHING ADVANCE OF THE CANADIANS AT PAARDEBERG
Bacons South African Battle Pictures # 10 London 1900 [1901]

Celebrating the centenary year of the Boer War these views became increasingly collectable especially those showing Canadian participation. Despite some minor water staining and trimming to borders, this is a highly desirable image as it depicts the advance of the Royal Regiment of Canada supported by the 2nd. Shropshire & Gordon Highlanders regiments and corps of Engineers, as they advanced on Cronje's laager. Lord Roberts said of this action "A gallant deed, worthy of our Colonial Comrades."

Note: the observation balloon.

Chromolithograph. Matted, Gilt wood frame. London 1900 [1901]
Click for more information on the printing technique.
Approx 22 X 29 3/4" (56 X 75.5cm) Frame 25 1/2 X 32 1/2"

Ref. LRA 813/DNN/evl    SOLD
Price Code C: Click Here for Pricing Details

British entry into Pretoria - June 5th 1900

Bacons South African Battle Pictures # 12
London 1900 [1901]

Depicts the parade in front of the Legislative building on June 5, 1900. Lord Roberts & Gen. Kitchener are shown on horseback taking the salute. A number of the Allied & Colonial regiments who took part in the Boer War are represented including the Canadian Artillery. A scarce and desirable image, in reasonably good condition considering the quality of the paper and its age.

Chromolithograph. G. W. Bacon & Son. London 1900 [1901].
Click for more information on the printing technique.
Approx 20 X 27 1/2" (50.7 X 70 cm.)

Ref. LRA 985/0L/annd>AOL SOLD
Price Code B: Click Here for Pricing Details

RETURN TO MILITARY CATALOGUE

After Paul Wickson
 The Bugler
1901
Colour Lithograph No. IV Military Plate series published as a supplement to the Christmas Globe 1901 by the Globe Printing Co. Toronto Lithographic Co.
22 1/2 x 14 3/4" ( 57.2 x 37.5 cm.)    
 Ref. BV4 /EL/l.annv> OL    SOLD         PRICE CODE A         CLICK FOR PRICE GUIDE

Toronto Globe honours the Canadian Bugler: The Globe issued several supplements to honour the soldiers who served in South Africa during the Boer War. At Christmas 1901 it issued this magnificent portrait of "The Bugler"after the painting by Paul Wickson the subject of which bears an uncanny resemblance to Bugler Edwin McCormick.