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.

Including copies and original letters from Struan Robertson; various persons acknowledging receipt of "House of Bondage"; typed copy of a letter by Ernest Cole to The New York Times, pointing out corrections to the article "A South African talks about U.S., 12 December 1967, with newspaper article attached containing red underlining by Ernest Cole; references by various entities, photo studies and journalists, including Magnum, Life, Random House and The Ford Foundation; typed copy of a letter by Ernest Cole to The Ford Foundation re. his application for a grant, 17 September 1968; typed and signed letter by Ernest Cole on his letterhead, written to Camera Mainichi magazine in Japan, 25 October 1968; permission given by Ernest Cole to the UN Public Information Section, to use photographs from "House of Bondage"; correspondence with John Hillelson, Magnum agent for Ernest Cole in the UK.

File is labelled "Below the breadline". Notes and newspaper clips, including "Poverty - like daily grind - remains, by Jill Chisholm and photographs by Ernest Cole, Mamelodi, undated

Newspaper clips with photographs by Ernest Cole about the Pretoria Non-European Hospital.

Including notes; newspaper clips "Life is so dull for the middle classes", 1963, and "Haven of new African middle class" with photographs of modern houses in Dube/Soweto, and of Johanna Mabuza in their double-storey home in Dube; "Coming of Age conference" of the National Council of African Women, 1937-1958, with congratulatory message by Rev. ZR Mahabane, and by Madie Hall Xuma; "This is apartheid" published by Christian Action, with forewords by Albert Lutuli and Alan Paton; typescript of the Presidential Address at the Conference of the National Council of African Women, December 1965

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.

At assignment desk clerk's rubber stamp dictates mine where man will work.

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.