“Hawawira’s Book” - 1854 Almanac with Early Māori Ownership inscription

“He Maramatakahaere, Hei Whakarite I Nga Ra Tapu, I Nga Ra E Kowhiti Ai, E Hua Ai Te Marama, Me Nga Ra Katoa O Te Tau 1854 O To Tatou Ariki O Ihu Karaiti”

Printed by John Williamson at the Wesleyan Church Mission ”No Akarana” (Auckland, NZ)

Complete: 19 pages and 1 blank. Simple stitched binding. 19 x 12cm approx. Small loss to upper inner cover page and tears and marks to cover.  Pages uncut and unopened.

Inscription “Hawawira’s Book” to front cover. Many Māori quickly became literate and the use of an English inscription on a Te Reo Māori book suggests bilingual knowledge and literacy.

The Wesleyan Mission in Auckland produced almanacs from 1844-1854 through the printer John Williamson. The Almanacs contained useful information and calendars of church events during the year. This is an early example of Auckland printing from the Wesleyan Press in Auckland.

Rare - WorldCat states 6 copies in institutions only with no copies outside of Australasia

Reference: BIM S211-1854