Title: The Kipling Birthday Book.
Publisher: London : Macmillan & Co.,
Publication Date: 1900
Binding: Hardcover
Book Condition: Near Fine
Edition: 1st
1st edition, 2nd reprint. [4], 278 printed pages with 2 pages of publisher's adverts at the back. 12 full-page line illustrations in circular borders by J.L.K. [John Lockwood Kipling]. Decorated, lily pad pattern endpapers. All edges yellow. Printed bookplate of John and Maggie Phillips on front free endpaper. Pages evenly toned. Completely clean copy with no notes or handwriting throughout. 10 x 14 cm. Original pale green cloth. Spine with gilt lettering and single lily pad motif in olive green. Boards with repeat lily pad pattern, in fine condition. Binding covered in bespoke, vellum, professionally hand-drawn and hand-painted upper cover featuring a bugler from a Second Boer War line regiment, dressed in khaki service dress uniform (introduced by the British Army for use in the field from the early 1900s, following the experiences of a number of imperial wars and conflicts, including the Second Boer War, 11 October 1899 31 May 1902. Numerous khaki drill uniforms were adopted by units in the field over the turn of the century but the darker khaki standardised Service Dress uniform was not adopted until after the Second Boer War). THe figure stands at ease with his bugle in his hand. The black lettering is also hand -painted within a simple red border. The painting has been attributed to Joseph Morewood Staniforth (1863-1921) who originally worked primarily in paint, but slowly moved from brush work to inks, where he found a talent for cartoons and caricature. More than 100 of his Boer War cartoons for the "Western Mail" were published as "Cartoons of the Boer war" (1900). The white vellum jacket is hand sewn with white thread on the inner flaps and is in very good condition with minimal handling marks. In early 1898, the Kiplings travelled to South Africa for their winter holiday, so beginning an annual tradition which (except the following year) would last until 1908. They stayed at "The Woolsack," a house on Cecil Rhodes's estate at Groote Schuur, within walking distance of Rhodes' mansion. With his new reputation as Poet of the Empire, Kipling was warmly received by some of the influential politicians of the Cape Colony, including Rhodes, Sir Alfred Milner, and Leander Starr Jameson. Kipling cultivated their friendship and came to admire the men and their politics. The period 1898 to 1910 was crucial in the history of South Africa and included the Second Boer War, the ensuing peace treaty, and the 1910 formation of the Union of South Africa. Back in England, Kipling wrote poetry in support of the British cause in the Boer War and on his next visit to South Africa in early 1900, became a correspondent for The Friend newspaper in Bloemfontein, which had been commandeered by Lord Roberts for British troops. Although his journalistic stint was to last only two weeks, it was Kipling's first work on a newspaper staff since he left The Pioneer in Allahabad more than ten years before. At The Friend, he made lifelong friendships with Perceval Landon & H. A. Gwynne. John Lockwood Kipling (1837-1911) provided the artwork; he was Rudyard's father, taught at the Bombay School of Art & was Principal of Mayo School of Art, Lahore. Previous owner bookplate, of the noted Kipling and Boer war collectors John and Maggie Phillips on front pastedown. The John Phillips Boer War Collection was sold by auction in 2017 at Hansons Auctioneers, Etwall, during their Antiques and Collectors Auction from December 14-16th. Bookseller Inventory # 5006