The Great Boer War published by Thomas Nelson & Sons

The Great Boer War, first print with note from Arthur Conan Doyle about it.

Thomas Nelson & Sons did a first version of The Great Boer War in 1908 which was rejected by Arthur Conan Doyle. The edition was destroyed and never published. But some were printed and rare ones fortunately survived today.

Conan Doyle refused this first print because :

• the publisher reprinted the first edition without any revisions, and it had no maps,
• he disliked the "Sir Arthur Conan Doyle" on the spine,
• he disliked the use of his portrait as a frontispiece.

He wrote on his advance copy : « This volume should be unique. When I saw (with horror) that they had put my portrait upon it, I said I would destroy the whole edition rather than pass it. They then put Lord Roberts as was proper. A.C.D. »

The Great Boer War (unpublished edition)

• 
  Spine with "Sir Arthur Conan Doyle".
• 
  Frontispiece with ACD photo.
• 
  1902 preface.
• 
  Contents (30 chapters + Appendix).

• Illustrations
• 
  "Retreat." (by Richard Caton Woodville)
• 
  Magersfontein. (by Edward Reade)
• 
  Spion Kop. (by FD STP)
• 
  Pieter's Hill. (unsigned)
• 
  Block-House, with its protecting wire-fence. (photo)
• 
  Surrender of Cronje. (by Richard Caton Woodville)
• 
  Lord Roberts entering Pretoria (by Sidney Paget)

The Great Boer War (published edition)

• 
  Spine with "A. Conan Doyle".
• 
  Frontispiece with Lord Roberts.
• 
  Extended 1903 preface.
• 
  Contents (39 chapters).

• Illustrations
• 
  Sketch map of South Africa to illustrate The Great Boer War.
• 
  "Retreat." (by Richard Caton Woodville)
• 
  Magersfontein. (by Edward Reade)
• 
  Block-House, with its protecting wire-fence. (photo)
• 
  Surrender of Cronje. (by Richard Caton Woodville)
• 
  Lord Roberts entering Pretoria (by Sidney Paget)

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