New Zealand Illustrated. The Story of New Zealand and Descriptions of its Cities and Towns ...; Also ... the Natural Wonders of New Zealand (past and present).

This is a rare or used book from the Berkelouw Rare Books Department.

Wanganui: Printed and Published by A. D. Willis 1889. Oblong folio in original pictorial boards. Complete with all 16 full-page lithographic plates including the obscure extra illustrated chromolithograph entitled "Queenstown N.Z."; 14 full-page magnificent chromolithographic plates 1 of which is folded ("Mount Tarawera in Eruption June 10 1886") and 1 black & white lithographic plate. A fine copy of the rare First Edition complete with its original marble-patterned endpapers. Text printed within a red-lined border. A facsimile reprint of this fine illustrated work was produced as a limited numbered edition in 1967 a copy of which is here included. Total 2 vols. Not in Hocken. Rare. Comprising a series of late nineteenth century views of cities and towns and natural wonders of New Zealand including the truly spectacular folding chromolithograph of the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera located near Rotorua in the North Island. The lithographs are by William Potts prepared in the main from photographs. Included is a brief history of New Zealand by local journalist and politician Edward Wakefield (1845-1924) "whose literary ability places him in the front rank of New Zealand writers". Each of the plates is accompanied by an explanatory text by Wakefield and others. Wakefield is also the author of New Zealand after Fifty Years which was published in the same year.