Rare Missionary Map of Melanesia [ca. 1880]

Description: Map Shewing Present Field of the Melanesian Mission. Title: Map Shewing Present Field of the Melanesian Mission. Description: Dunedin, New Zealand: J. Wilkie & Co., litho. [ca. 1880]. Lithograph, 30 x 33 cm, plus margins, mounted on original linen. CONDITION: Good, old folds, separation along central vertical fold in lower margin, with a bit of loss, light general foxing, minor losses and tears at edges. An apparently unrecorded map of the Solomon, Santa Cruz and New Hebrides Islands, which constituted the "field" of the Melanesian Mission spearheaded by English Bishop John Patteson, who met his end in the region at the hands of native people. This map encompasses three clusters of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, all of which were of interest to the Melanesian Mission-an Anglican missionary agency established in 1854 on the recommendation of bishop of New Zealand, George Selwyn. Beginning with Vulava, twenty-six islands are listed and numbered at the bottom-left. Three arrows-located in the margins-point outside of the map proper to the Norfolk Islands, Fiji, and Sydney; compass lines appear in the center of the map. Some of the islands and locales labeled on the map do not appear in the list of islands. In 1855, Englishman John Coleridge Patteson (1827-1871)-his mother the niece of Samuel Taylor Coleridge-became the Melanesian Mission's first bishop. In the course of his duties, Patteson learned some twenty-three Melanesian languages, which proved critical in his efforts to convert natives and also suppress the slave trade on the islands. In 1861 he became 'Bishop of Melanesia.' Sailing on the Southern Cross, Patteson traveled extensively throughout his island diocese-the "Present Field" depicted here spanning over 1,800 miles-and ferried converts back to study at his mission school. Known for his gentle, agreeable temperament, Patteson is said to have been the first man to swim ashore to each new island the Southern Cross visited-arriving in shirt, pants and a top hat in which he kept presents. A note near the "Swallow Group" of islands identifies the spot where Patteson was killed by natives on the island of Nukapu on 20 Sept. 1871. Apparently Patteson was mistaken for a labor recruiter (an illegal 'blackbirder') disguised as a missionary. Near the spot where he was killed, another note reads "Patteson Sh[oals?]. P.D." Also named in his honor is Port Patteson, on the east coast of the Vanua Lava. J. Wilkie & Co. Lithographers, Manufacturing and General Stationers, based in Dunedin, New Zealand, appears to have existed from at least the 1880s until 1922, when the company became Coulls Somerville Wilkie. Operating their own warehouse and stationery factory, Wilkie & Co. specialized in stationary, printing, bookbinding and embossing. Not in OCLC. REFERENCES: Patteson, John Coleridge (1827-) at Solomon Islands Historical Encyclopaedia online Item #5062 Seller ID: 5062 Subject: MapsTerms and Conditions All of the items we offer are guaranteed to be as described. We do not sell facsimiles or reproductions, and strive to be as accurate as possible in dating the items offered. Please see our other listings for a fine selection of books, prints, photographs, paper, and art! Our Policies Buyer is responsible for all shipping charges, including insurance, if desired. We ship through the United States Postal Service and UPS. While all items are professionally and securely packaged, we recommend insurance, as we cannot accept responsibility for lost or damaged items. Payment must be received within two weeks of commitment to purchase, or the item will be relisted. We prefer Paypal, but will consider other payment options. For International Buyers We adhere to all customs regulations and state the purchase price as the value for all items on customs forms, as required by law. All import duties, taxes, fees and charges are the responsibility of the buyer, and are not included in the purchase price.This listing was created by Bibliopolis.

Price: 2340 USD

Location: Bath, Maine

End Time: 2025-01-07T22:45:18.000Z

Shipping Cost: 35 USD