Background / provenance

This original 1939 hardcover edition of “Tales of the Maori Coast” was written by noted New Zealand historian and author James Cowan. Cowan became widely respected for documenting Maori oral traditions, frontier history and regional stories gathered directly from Maori communities throughout New Zealand. This work presents a collection of historical narratives and traditions associated with coastal Maori communities and reflects Cowan’s accessible storytelling style developed over decades of research and travel.

Published in Wellington by Fine Arts (N.Z.) Ltd. and printed by Thomas Avery & Sons Ltd. of New Plymouth, the book was issued during the later years of Cowan’s writing career. Cowan’s publications remain important within New Zealand historical literature because of their preservation of oral histories and regional traditions recorded during the early twentieth century. Early hardcover editions remain collectible, particularly pre-war printings in original cloth bindings.

Details

• Original 1939 hardcover edition
• “Tales of the Maori Coast”
• By James Cowan
• Published Wellington, New Zealand
• Fine Arts (N.Z.) Ltd.
• Printed by Thomas Avery & Sons Ltd., New Plymouth
• 197 pages
• Cloth hardcover binding
• New Zealand Maori history and folklore subject matter
• Ownership inscriptions to front pages
• Pre-war New Zealand historical publication

Condition: General age-related wear and rubbing to cloth boards and spine. Foxing and toning visible internally, particularly to early pages. Binding appears intact and stable from supplied images.

Pick-up / courier Pick-up fine from Botany Downs or Auckland CBD by appointment. Items are packed securely. Courier is at buyer’s cost.