ANGAS, GEORGE FRENCH | The New Zealanders Illustrated. London: Thomas McLean, 1847

ANGAS, GEORGE FRENCH

The New Zealanders Illustrated. London: Thomas McLean, 1847

Folio (21 x 14 in.; 532 x 355mm). Lithographed dedication leaf, additional handcolored pictorial lithographed titlepage, 60 handcolored lithographed plates; closed tear to additional title repaired, some foxing and minor toning. Contemporary half red morocco over tan patterned cloth, spine with gilt lettering and filigree motif; overall rubbed, soiling and loss to cloth, old adhesive marks to endpapers. 

First edition of a splendidly-illustrated work on the Maoris. In 1844 George French Angas travelled some 800 miles through mainly uncharted territory. Angas's drawings of Maoris in native dress, their houses, totems, ornaments, weapons, wood carvings, funerals, war dances and customs form a record of a civilization that was about to undergo radical change. Facing each plate, Angas supplies details about the subject and their role in local life and New Zealand society. There are also plates of New Zealand scenery, volcanoes, forests, lakes, etc.

REFERENCE:

Abbey, Travel 589; Bagnall 114; Colas 132; Hocken 129; Wantrup, Australian Rare Books 311-316 ("magnificent work")