ardcover, clear laminate finish on the cover, entitled "The Military Badges and Insignia of Southern Africa" by Colin R. Owen, copyrighted by the author, first published in 1990 by Chimperie Agencies of Somerset West, South Africa (Owen's firm), reproduced by Fotoplate (Printing) LImited of Cape Town, printed and bound by MIlls Litho (Printing) Limited of Cape Town, ISBN 0 620 15438 1. This reference book is acknowledged to be a five star publication for badges, patches and shoulder flashes from Southern Africa and covers numerous countries including Rhodesia, South Africa, Zambia, Angola and more. Owen published his first book in 1976, "The Military Badges of South Africa and Rhodesia from 1850-1976". Collectors would ask him when he planned on revising the book and this superb volume is the result of those efforts. It begins with an Introduction by the author dated November 28, 1990 and is followed by an Acknowledgements, an Index of Cloth Insignia (all of which have been reproduced at half actual size, with the exception of 61 which are actual size), an Index of Badges (all of which have been reproduced at actual size) and an Index of Flashes (all of which have been reproduced at half actual size). The body of the book is loaded with clear, crisp photographs of over 5,000 items, most of which are in black and white, but many have been reproduced in colour. The back of the book features coded keys for each item under the following categories: Description of Cloth Insignia (codes beginning with "C", 1 to 1152); Description of Badges (numeric codes: 1 to 3991); and Description of Flashes (codes beginning with "F", 1 to 1223). There is an Errata List inserted near the back of the book, the last two pages dedicated to six ads, the previous owner's name stamped on the inside front cover endpaper. The book contains 306 pages of text and photographs, most of the photographs in black and white but also includes 46 colour plates, with all the insignia numbered and indexed with brief descriptions of each, printed in black ink or colour, on a coated thick white paper stock, weighing 2 kilograms, measuring 235 mm (w) x 310 mm (h) x 25 mm (d). Near extremely fine.
Footnote: According to his website, Rocks of Africa (which specializes in Southern African fine minerals, himself being a collector of minerals), it states that for over thirty years he has operated the numismatic Company, the "Chimperie Agencies", as well as being American Numismatic Association Life Member No. 1651, International Banknote Society Life Member No. 21, Life Member of all South African Numismatic and Militaria Societies and joined the International Banknote Society in 1978.
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