Some of the most valuable objects in the Huguenot Museum in Paarl are the small printing press the proof press and the book-binding apparatus used by the Genootskap van Regte Afrikaners This society was founded on 14th August 1875 in Wesfalen the house of Mr Gideon J. Malherbe its aim was to stand for our language our nation and our country
In order to achieve its object it was essential that the Society should have its own publication so it decided to publish the first Afrikaans newspaper Die Afrikaanse Patriot in 1876. The Society needed its own printing facilities so it acquired this little press complete with its proof press and binding apparatus. It originally stood in a side room in Mr. Gideon Malherbes house but later after being moved several times it eventually was placed in the yard of the old parsonage in the left wing of the Gymnasium then occupied by the Rev. S. J. du Toit.
In 1878 a printing company D. F. du Toit and Company was established and took over this printing machinery. When that company failed in 1904 it was succeeded by the Paarlse Drukpersmaatscappy and the press was put to use by the new company. This company was owned by Mr. Nico Retief and his son. In 1965 Mr. Retief donated the press which had up to then still been in use as a standby to the Paarl Huguenot Museum. The gift was formally accepted by the Minister of Education Arts and Science.
In order to achieve its object it was essential that the Society should have its own publication so it decided to publish the first Afrikaans newspaper Die Afrikaanse Patriot in 1876. The Society needed its own printing facilities so it acquired this little press complete with its proof press and binding apparatus. It originally stood in a side room in Mr. Gideon Malherbes house but later after being moved several times it eventually was placed in the yard of the old parsonage in the left wing of the Gymnasium then occupied by the Rev. S. J. du Toit.
In 1878 a printing company D. F. du Toit and Company was established and took over this printing machinery. When that company failed in 1904 it was succeeded by the Paarlse Drukpersmaatscappy and the press was put to use by the new company. This company was owned by Mr. Nico Retief and his son. In 1965 Mr. Retief donated the press which had up to then still been in use as a standby to the Paarl Huguenot Museum. The gift was formally accepted by the Minister of Education Arts and Science.