New Zealand in the Mid-Victorian Era - An Album of Contemporary Engravings

This book contains a selection of engravings which originally appeared in various New Zealand regional newspapers during the 1860s, '70s and '80s.

The engravings which depict news events were based on artists' impressions which in turn were based on descriptive news reports and/or recollections of participants or eye witnesses. Very often they reflect an over-enthusiastic imagination and emphasis on the dramatic. On the other hand, the majority of the remaining engravings were based on actual photographs or sketches, and work by such well known artists as Nicholas Chevalier and John Gully often appeared.

An effort has been made to choose engravings representative of all parts of New Zealand, but if a wieghting towards Otago and the South Island can be detected, remember that in the period covered this was, after all, the most important part of New Zealand, as well as being the origin of the New Zealand published illustrated papers.

-from the introduction.

Published by John McIndoe Ltd., 1977.
Good secondhand condition, but with a slightly scuffed spine and inscription inside.