Craig, E.
Ferns of New Zealand. [Including Maori photos].
Auckland, Eric Craig, 1879. Large folio (44.1 x 31.5 cm) [total book size 45.7 x 34.0 x 8.8 cm]. Original roan spine with gilt-bordered, morocco bands over wooden panels with elaborate, partly gilded floral tooling and bevelled edges. Marbled endpapers. Two fine albumen prints (each 9.5 x 5.5 cm). Marbled endpapers.
A peculiar, very decorative item on the natural history, in particular botany, and anthropology of New Zealand. The author, Eric Craig, was born in Scotland and emigrated to Australia and then to New Zealand. In Auckland, he ran a shop specialized in ferns, shells, and other natural history curiosities. Pressed ferns – nowhere as diverse as in New Zealand – were quite popular, in particular when preserved in tailor-made Kauri wooden bindings. Binding sizes varied a lot, but very few were as grand as this one. This copy is the more remarkable as it also includes original albumen prints of Maori men. Two are mounted on the title leaf, together with a lithographed scene, titled Tikitapu Bush near Ohinemuti. These are quite early examples of New Zealand ethnographic photography. The copy further includes no fewer than 150 different ferns, each captioned with its Latin name. The ferns are very nicely arranged. Several are quite spectacular in size and shape. Tipped in on the rear pastedown is a printed list of 'New Zealand Ferns and Lycopods. Alphabetically arranged', and a publisher's advertisement. Similar but smaller fern albums are known, but we have never seen any this sumptuous – it oozes quality. ADDED: A few loose, dried ferns and other leaves, preserved in 1885 Auckland newspaper sheets. Spine a bit worn; the gilt lettering faded. Otherwise in very good condition. An excellent, unique item. NB: Special issues in regard to shipping overseas may be applicable, please inquire first.