The first extract of the Old Testament to be printed in Te Reo Māori

KO TETAHI WAHI O TE PUKAPUKA A IHAIA A TE POROPITI

“A part of the Book of Isaiah – the Prophet”

Published, Paihia, New Zealand, 1841

Incomplete: 8 pages (of 12) on single folded sheet 19 x 11cm

This is Bishop Selwyn’s copy of Chapters 49-55 of Isaiah. This imprint is important as being the first part of the Old Testament published in Māori. While the New Testament had been translated by William Williams, Robert Maunsell was the main translator of the Old Testament, and this was the first extract to be Published.

These passages from Isaiah deal mainly with Idolatry and were likely published to counter the Catholic Mission of Pompallier which was established nearby in Russell. The opening lines of Chapter 49 are particularly striking and appropriate for the New Zealand Mission “Listen to me you Islands, hear this you distant Lands”

Pages 1-4 & 9-12. Stained and toned. Pages 5-8 missing.

5000 Copies of this tract were published, but WorldCat states 8 surviving copies only in institutions – with no copies outside of Australasia. Rare Book hub records the last copy being sold by Maggs in 1956

BIM 87