Peter Kolbe

[1] Peter Kolbe was born in a village Dorflas just outside Marktredwitz near Bayreuth, the son of a blacksmith and customs collector.

He was offered a position in Moscow but became a private tutor to the sons of the Prussian Privy Councillor Baron Friedrich Freiherr von Krosick (1656-1714).

Krosick sponsored his visit to the Cape of Good Hope to make astronomical observations, more particularly the determination of longitudes at sea.

Kolbe was provided letters of introduction from Nicolaas Witsen, mayor of Amsterdam, with a mandate to compile a comprehensive description of South Africa and for astronomical and surveying research.

His discovery and description of a giraffe elicited much interest in Europe, and even though Julius Caesar had brought one to Rome in about 46 BC, nobody had produced compelling proof of the existence of this rather improbable creature.

It is a harsh expression that I am using here; but their deeds deserve no milder term as surely the innocent blood that was shed still cries for revenge.

Whole kraals or Hottentot villages were pillaged, and those who could not flee had to hide themselves here and there and seek safety in the face of the cruelty of their hostile friends.

Astley included a preface which he described Kolbe's discovery of the Khoikhoi to be "some of the most humane and virtuous (abating for a few Prejudices of Education) to be found among all the Race of Mankind.

A woodcut in Kolbe's book shows the inflation of the cow's vagina in order to stimulate milk production.

[6][7] Kolbe's book also provides early descriptions of Cape Town: "Several beautiful country seats, vineyards and gardens are to be seen on almost every side of the Table-Hill.