The Lyalldale Waltz- SIGNED

Thompson, Isaac M

Author Published-1976-Hardcover. 1st. 219 pages, more that 250 b/w photographs, few document reproductions, tables and map.

The sub-title to this fine book, "A light-hearted look at rural life about South Canterbury over the past 70years," sums its content up admirably, but without revealing that it covers a vast range of events and occasions typical of NZ country life from the pioneering days to the mid-1970s. The fact that the author was a man who not only enjoyed life, was happy in his rural environment and determined to contribute his fair share (or more) to its functions and amenities.

He begins his "light hearted" book with the arrival in NZ of his grandfather from Northern Ireland in the 1860s to begin the Thompson South Island connection. In 1900 the author's father borrowed $600 to purchase by ballot land in the South Canterbury Pareora Estate which was to become the family holding known "Kopje." (This property is outlined in ink on the sections plan printed on the book's front pastedown.)

The textual style of the book is informal, but embraces every facet of the rural society that existed in NZ in those days, when a sense of community was strong.

It is accurate to say that every aspect of country life in those times is mentioned, from the sporting and recreational organisations, entertainment provided from within the local population, to the progress of agriculture over an extended period. Isaac Thompson's book would be of particular interest to enthusiasts of the traction engine, that steam powered monster that pre-dated wheel and tracked farm and construction machinery.

In 1965 the author was instrumental in the formation of the South Canterbury Traction Engine Club and at the time of publication it was still going strong and .... S=R

Happy to combine lots and save on postage costs

Happy to post overseas- please ask for a quote

Sorry, I DO NOT make fixed price offers after the auction closes