Michael Walker : A Statement in Stone The Early Buildings and their architects
Muizenberg-St James-Kalk Bay 1897-1927; (published September 2010 – ISBN
978-0-620-46306-5)
The Pioneer Architects of Johannesburg and their buildings (1886 -1899) with
postcard illustrations; (published September 2013 – ISBN 978-0-620- 57565-2)
The Early Architects of Cape Town and their buildings (1820 -1926) with postcard
illustrations. (published November 2012 – ISBN 978-0-620- 55120-5)
A recent visit to Cape Town and Stellenbosch ( sadly only six days) saw me drawn into a
couple of Cape Town bookshops . It was The Book Shoppe at The Tokai Pick n Pay
Centre that I encountered Michael Walker’s books .
Michael Walker is a Cape Town local historian who has written a number of books
covering South African shipwrecks, railway journeys, coastal memories and then
extended himself to the history of Simon’s Town, Muizenberg, Kalk Bay and St James.
Now Michael has combined his interest in architecture and postcards to publish three
works in architecture and has extended himself beyond Cape Town. These books are an
important additions to South African architectural heritage history and Africana
collections. The focus is on the architects of South Africa of the late 19th century and
early 20th century.
The interest of these books lies in the combination of the carefully researched text, the
photographs of many of the architects and the illustrations of many of the buildings. The
illustrations are a particular delight as they are drawn from postcards, photographs and
the original architects’ drawings. The often beautiful watercolour drawings are of
elevations from the plans submitted for approval to the town councils, and capture
bygone fanciful styles for modest cottage homes, grand seaside holiday and retirement
mansions, villas ,hotels and even cinemas.
The front cover of “A Statement in Stone”, reproduces a 1991 painting by Eric Judd of
the impressive mansion Watergate on the Main Road at St James built in 1914 , the work
of the architect William Grant. This work is the most substantial of the three books and
is in large format and is hardbound.
The three books have been published in association with the Kalk Bay Historical
Association. Michael has been a long standing member of the board.
The Pioneer Architects of Johannesburg is likely to be of interest to members of the
Johannesburg Historical Foundation. The work of twenty architects and their buildings
over the period 1886 to 1897 have been researched . The author’s objective has been to
find out more about the stories behind the buildings shown in those quaint, hand coloured
early souvenir post cards. This is a small paperback (74 pages) , with many postcard
illustrations is by no means comprehensive in taking in all architects but is nonetheless a
delight .
All three volumes are likely to sell out quickly as they will be popular on both the Cape
Town and Johannesburg book scene and in architectural circles. In addition there are
small print runs.
I shall be writing a more substantial review of the three books for Architecture SA.
The three books may be ordered direct from Michael Walker e mail:
coolarty@telkomsa.net, tel +27 21 7881927 . The price of the books via direct orders
varies from R120 to R150 plus postage. When you order your copy from Michael do
ask him to sign your books.