First British edition, first printing. Inscribed by Nelson Mandela and F. W. De Klerk. Publisher's original black cloth with gilt titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. With photographic illustrations in black and white throughout. An excellent near fine copy, the binding square and firm with some bumping at the spine tips, the cloth and gilt bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without previous owner's inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the very lightly rubbed and creased dustwrapper that remains without fading, loss or tears. Not price-clipped (£20.00 to the lower front flap).
Inscribed by the South African President in blue ink on the half title "To Barry & Margaret / Compliments / & / best wishes / N. Mandela / 23.5.95" underneath which the deputy President and last President of the Apartheid system has inscribed in blue ink "Best wishes to / Margaret / F. W. De Klerk". The book was signed on the opening day of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, a defining event in the early stages of Mandela's Premiership. The two leaders had a famously difficult relationship in power, consequently it is rare to see both inscriptions on the same page.
Stock code: 22962
£4,000