| A curious aspect of Rhodesiana (Rhodesian and | | | | Lovett, Galaxie Books, 1977. This |
| Zimbabwean collectables) is that the most | | | | elephant-hide-bound edition set new standards for |
| sought-after items are almost always those from | | | | luxurious presentation and deservedly remains |
| the last 15 years of the country's existence, from | | | | popular. The Collectors' Edition was limited to just |
| the Unilateral Declaration of Independence in 1965 | | | | 115 individually numbered copies, of which 15 were |
| to the nation's independence under majority rule in | | | | given to the Rhodesian National Archives, |
| 1980 as Zimbabwe. During this period there were | | | | politicians and senior servicemen, and 100 offered |
| strict currency restrictions, preventing Rhodesian | | | | for sale. The volume comes in a silk-lined slipcase |
| citizens from exporting money out of the country | | | | and is handsomely bound in Rhodesian elephant |
| or from taking money with them when they | | | | hide, with heavy, polished brass title plate and |
| emigrated - from 1975 emigrants could take with | | | | edgings, and a high-relief badge of the coat of |
| them only Rh$1000 (about US$1200) per family. A | | | | arms of Rhodesia, struck in brass, on the outer |
| local industry grew up creating high-value souvenir | | | | front cover. The Collectors' Edition is identical to |
| items for investment - sets of military medals; | | | | the normal 1977 first edition except for two |
| sets of gold and silver medallions; UDI souvenirs | | | | additional pages bound in, and protected with |
| made in precious metals and in limited editions. | | | | tissue paper covers. The first page bears an |
| Books were invariably produced in two forms: a | | | | explanatory note and the Galaxie imprimatur, and |
| normal retail hardback edition, and a special | | | | certifies the copy number. The second page |
| collectors' edition: badged, bound in leather (in the | | | | bears the original autographs of ten prominent |
| case of Contact, by John Lovett, in elephant hide), | | | | Rhodesians:John Wrathall, President of Rhodesia |
| autographed and bearing special tipped-in pages, | | | | Ian Douglas Smith, Prime Minister of Rhodesia |
| and offered in a luxurious slip-case.The sad truth is | | | | Clifford Dupont, the first President of Rhodesia |
| that, until the Internet created fresh interest in | | | | B. H. 'Jack' Mussett, Minister of Internal Affairs |
| Rhodesiana, most of these investment items | | | | Roger Hawkins, Minister of Combined Operations |
| proved a very poor investment. Many of them | | | | Lt Gen Peter Walls, Commander, Combined |
| now sell for barely more than their original cost, | | | | Operations |
| once you factor in 30 years' inflation.However, | | | | Air Marshal M. J. 'Mick' McLaren, Deputy |
| books have consistently performed well and | | | | Commander, Combined Operations |
| remain items of strong interest. My top tips for | | | | P. Sherren, Commissioner of the BSAP |
| modern Rhodesian/Zimbabwean books are as | | | | Lt Gen John Hickman, Commander of the Army |
| follows (all prices are mid-2006):* Contact, John | | | | Air Marshal F. W. |