From the blurb:

"The first comprehensive and authentic account of early Cape photography, this work is the result of an intensive research project based on primary sources of reference only, and undertaken by Miss Marjorie Bull of the South African Library, Cape Town, and the late Dr. Joseph Denfield of East London, well known Border historian, photographer and author of Pioneer Port, published in 1965. The need to establish an accurate record of the evolution of early photography in the Cape has long been felt. When the authors began their research on this subject, biographical details of the earliest photographers were practically unknown, information relating to the styles of photography practised was largely inadequate, while the precise datings of the first studios had not been possible. While the authors' researches among the early Cape newspapers revealed for the first time a tremendous amount of information covering many aspects of Cape photography, additional and supplementary information was sought and obtained from sources hitherto untapped, resulting in a well-documented work of originality and of great cultural and historical importance. From data collected it has been possible to compile a Studio Establishment Index, an invaluable work of reference which will enable all types of photographs which show a photographer's name and place of practice to be dated more accurately than has ever before been possible."