This is an auction for BALLADS OF THOMAS BRACKEN.

For the contents and the text of the national anthem, see the photographs.

From Wikipedia:

"Thomas Bracken (1841-1898) was an Irish-born New Zealand poet, journalist and politician. He wrote "God Defend New Zealand", one of the two national anthems of New Zealand, and was the first person to publish the phrase "God's Own Country" as applied to New Zealand. He also won the Otago Caledonian Society’s prize for poetry... In early 1869 at the age of 25 he moved to Dunedin in New Zealand, where a volume containing a selection of poems he had written in Australia was published. While working as a shearer and at various odd jobs, he carried on writing, and published a small book of verses, Flights among the Flax. This was noticed in literary circles, and he won the Otago Caledonian Society’s prize for poetry. Determined to enter journalism, Bracken took a staff position on the Otago Guardian.While at the Guardian he met John Bathgate who soon after, in 1875, established the Saturday Advertiser "to foster a national spirit in New Zealand and encourage colonial literature". Bracken also wrote for the Morning Herald and the Catholic The New Zealand Tablet. He was born into a Catholic family, but lapsed, and was a freethinker and a freemason. Bracken became editor and immediately began to encourage local writers. Talented contributors were attracted and the Advertiser’s circulation reached 7000 copies which was a notable achievement for that era. Encouraged by this literary and commercial success, Bracken contributed some of his own satire, humour and verse, including God Defend New Zealand, published in 1876, which was widely admired and became the national anthem..."

More on Wikipedia.

Paperback 1975.

91 pages.

Very good condition.

The cost of shipping is $3.95.

There is of course no charge for shipping if you collect this book from my shop in Palmerston North following the auction.

Payment within seven days, please.