New Zealand Graphic and Descriptive

One of the finest color plate books depicting scenery throughout New Zealand. From his youth Barraud had displayed artistic talent, and for the first 26 years of his life in New Zealand he travelled widely in his spare time over a large area of the North and South Islands, sketching in the various provinces, and recording his impressions of the attractions of New Zealand.

Many of these sketches he worked up to a larger scale, and the climax of this activity came in 1875 when he decided to sail to England to take advice on the publication of his work. This was published in 1877 under the title New Zealand, Graphic and Descriptive, his publishers being Samson, Low, Marston, Searle, and Rivington, the lithographer being C. F. Kell, while the descriptive material was edited by W. T. L. Travers.

The book contained 24 full-page color lithographs of landscapes and numerous other plain lithographs and woodcuts dealing with aspects of native life in New Zealand. Several of the lithographs are of considerable historic interest, particularly that portraying the Pink and White Terraces which were destroyed in the Tarawera eruption.

First edition elephant folio (17-1/2 by 23 inches), original three-quarter black morocco, original red cloth boards with gilt-decorated top cover. 30 plates (24 color).

References:

Encyclopaedia of New Zealand; Bagnall NZ Nat Bibliography 320; Hocken 303; Bobins 320.