Landmark Offering of Maori Printed Materials


On view at Webb’s auction house on Thursday 17 and Friday 18 June is the finest collection of Maori printed materials to appear on the market for over a decade.

Highlights include a copy of the ‘Declaration of Independence of New Zealand’ (‘He Wakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tirene’), the predecessor of the Treaty of Waitangi of 1840.  Considered by scholars the first affirmation of Maori sovereignty over New Zealand, the Declaration was originally signed by 34 chiefs at a hui held at Waitangi on 28 October 1835.  This copy, produced to encourage further chiefs to sign the Declaration, is estimated at $15,000 - $20,000.
Also on offer are copies of scarce Maori newspapers such as the Kingitanga publication ‘Te Hokioi’ (‘The War Bird’) and its government supported rival ‘Te Pihoihoi Mokemoke’ ‘A Sparrow Alone on the House Top’), 19th century cultural and historical studies, biographies, pamphlets, prayer books and bibles.
The materials are returning to New Zealand from the United States where they have formed part of one of the world’s most important private collections of Pacific imprints.

In addition to the Maori pieces, a unique collection of New Zealand and international literature is on offer.  Books inscribed and signed by key New Zealand authors such as Jane Mander, Robin Hyde, Janet Frame, Frank Sargeson, Allen Curnow and Maurice Gee will be sold alongside books inscribed and signed by international giants like Hunter S Thompson and Anais Nin.
Two Henry Miller manuscripts and a file of his correspondence are also on offer, as is a proof copy of Sylvia Plath’s first collection of poems ‘The Colossus’.

Due to its uncommon scale (690 lots versus the usual 400), the sale will be held in two sessions on Saturday 19 June, the first at 10am and the second at 2pm.  The sale as a whole is valued at over $250,000 and represents a unique opportunity to learn more about New Zealand’s vibrant print culture.

For more information, please contact Francis McWhannell on 021 232 6032
www.webbs.co.nz/content/bethuneswebbs-rare-books-3.