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From: "Becky Horne" <>
Subject: [ZA] East Cape Newspapers, July 1965 - HARPER, Part II
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2003 21:22:24 +0200


Hi there

Newspaper cuttings from the Eastern Cape.
No source, July 1965. Part II


"But such a house never has been seen before nor since." related a diarist at the time. "In fact several celebrated artists attempted to make a drawing of it, but failed. Even a celebrated photographer tried to get a likeness, but all you could see on his prints was a mass of rubbish heaped together."

The diarist continued: "HARPER must have done well there for all that. The public discovered that most of the articles stolen by their servants and others, found their way to the castle. Not to say that HARPER or his journeyman had any hand in collecting them abroad, but it was proved that they had been purchased for a mere trifle from the thieves. The consequences was, that search warrants were issued and that the castle was turned inside out, and such collection will never be seen again."

In 1852, this monstrosity of a place was put up for auction and HARPER's dour description of his property in the advertisement of the sale he inserted in the Journal, is worth repetition. He advertised a large assortment of curious articles which he did not want to detail, 'as by making known the whole contents of the wondrous castle, I would only anticipate the curiosity of the Grahamstown public."

He continued: "Precisely at 2 o'clock will be sold, the whole of the materials constituting the ingenious fabric so well known by the name of HARPER's Castle. This building needs no comment. It having been the surprise of every architect that has viewed it, while it's symmetry of form has excited the admiration and wonder of every beholder. The edifice has baffled the most tempestuous storms and winds that our town has witnessed, and it stands at present, as a monument of stability and durability."

"It is therefore expected that as this will be the first exhibition ever presented to the public, that a splendid building will be manifested, for bear this in mind - the sight is gratis"


Best wishes
Becky
Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Researching: HENWICK; HILL; HORN(E); MEREDITH; DEYZEL; LARSEN; WILLSON; LYNAR; HENNING; STERLEY; THECK; BEST; BRAUN, GREENER; GLANVILLE:




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