An attractive first edition of Borneo People by Malcolm MacDonald, published by Jonathan Cape, London, in 1956, retaining its original illustrated dust jacket.
Illustrated with 44 photographs and a drawing by the author, this fascinating account explores the peoples, cultures and traditions of Borneo during the final years of British colonial administration.
Malcolm MacDonald (1901–1981) was a British politician, diplomat and colonial administrator who served as Commissioner-General for the United Kingdom in South-East Asia.
His extensive travels and official responsibilities brought him into close contact with the peoples and communities of Borneo, particularly those of Sarawak and North Borneo.
In Borneo People, MacDonald draws upon his personal experiences and observations to present an engaging account of the island's inhabitants, their customs, beliefs, ceremonies and everyday lives.
The book is particularly interesting for its descriptions of the indigenous communities of Borneo, including the Dayak peoples, at a time when many traditional ways of life were undergoing significant change.
Combining travel writing, personal recollections and ethnographic observation, the work provides a valuable contemporary perspective on the region in the mid-twentieth century.
The volume contains 44 photographs, illustrating the people, landscapes, settlements and traditional activities of Borneo, together with a drawing by the author.
These illustrations are an important attraction, complementing MacDonald's descriptions and providing a visual record of the region during the 1950s.
Published by Jonathan Cape in 1956, this is a first edition retaining its original illustrated dust jacket.
The dust jacket adds considerably to the book's appeal, particularly for collectors of illustrated travel literature and twentieth-century first editions.
A particularly interesting title for collectors of:
Borneo, Sarawak and North Borneo history
Dayak and Iban culture
South-East Asian travel and exploration
Ethnography and anthropology
British colonial and Commonwealth history
Illustrated travel books and first editions
A good copy for its age, with some wear to the original dust jacket and age-related spotting and discolouration, as detailed in the separate condition description.
Please examine all photographs carefully for a fuller impression of its condition.
An appealing illustrated first edition offering a fascinating account of Borneo, its people and its traditions, written by a prominent British administrator with extensive firsthand experience of the region.