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DateOriginal Topic
19th March 2003Rork'e Drift Portfolio Questions
By Mark Merrell
Hello,

Firstly I wanted to describe what I have. I have a portfolio, published by The Allen Publishing Company, and copywritten by British Archives Publishing. This folio contains a couple of plates one of a painting, the other of military uniforms of the time, a pamphlet titled The Defence of Rorke's Drift, another pamphlet by Walter Hood entitled Survivor's Tales of Great Events, and a number of large prints of newspapers from england and The Times of Natal from that period. Julian Whybra is cited in the historical pamphlet as assisting in the production of the portfolio.

I was wondering if anyone here has heard of this portfolio, and could point me in the direction of where others like it may still be found. It was a gift to me many years ago by some friends, and I recall doing some research on portfolios like it at the time, and finding that other historical situations were also covered by the same conpany. In particular, of The Little Bighorn. My father is interested in Custer history, and I remembered that this publishing company also published a similar portfolio.

Thanks,

Mark

DateReplies
7th April 2003Julian Whybra
Hi
I was commissioned to write the booklet that accompanied the portfolio (you'll find I'm named as the author in a number of places inside) and to research and decide on the contents of the portfolio. The publishers, British Archives, were an offshoot of an American company that published the Custer volume (I have a copy) under the name American Archives. I prepared and was paid for a second portfolio on the Charge of the Light Brigade but unfortunately this was never published since the American parent firm went bankrupt and the companies collapsed. All excess stock were sold off. I was given six copies as author and a presentation framed photo of the Butler Rorke's Drift painting (one of 3 permitted) which was stolen from my home during a house move in 1996 (if anyone finds it let me know!!). If you want to buy more Steven Hopkins second hand and antiquarian bookseller occasionally gets one come his way or he might look out for one for you.
Regards
Julian Whybra