The collection contains the photographic work of the South African photographer Ernest Cole, some of which culminated in the iconic book "House of Bondage", published in 1967. Also included are his notes, correspondence and research material, as well as his photographic work which he continued in the USA.
These images were published in the book "House of Bondage". Each of the 184 photographs originate from one of the folders in B2.1-24, from which they were extracted. The images which were selected for the book are marked on the original contact sheets and the negative sheets.
Barracks-like buildings are divided into starkly simple rooms with bunk space for twenty men. There are no closets or cupboards, so clothes and boots hang all over.