Item #24300 Wm Martin, first Chief Justice of New Zealand. Print on stone by J. Dickson. Pre title proof copy of lithographic portrait. J. Carpenter.

Wm Martin, first Chief Justice of New Zealand. Print on stone by J. Dickson. Pre title proof copy of lithographic portrait.

London: 1 March 1842. Proof. A compelling portrait of Sir William Martin (1807 - 1880), noted New Zealand judge who set up New Zealand's judicial system, along with Attorney General William Swainson and Thomas Outhwaite, first Registrar of the Supreme Court. The image depicts a handsome young man seated in frock coat and vest.

Sir Martin, like his friend George Selwyn, first Anglican Bishop of New Zealand, was sympathetic to the missionary goals of the church, and to the Maori. Martin wrote protests against Britain's failures in living up to the terms of the Treaty of Waitangi and the invasion of Taranaki. In 1861 he authored a work in support of the Maori titled 'Extracts of Letters from New Zealand on the War Question'.

Below the portrait, all handwritten, are the notes, "on stone by J. Dickson from a drawing by J. Carpenter". At the center, "Wm. Martin, Chief Justice of New Zealand, London, 1 March 1812". At the right, "Mn. Hanhart, lith. printer". Below this line, "proof". Very slightly dusty in the margins; a slight paper fault (?) in the background. Very faint tide mark below the image of the chair. India paper proof, laid down,13 5/8 x 11"; thick paper, 13 1/4 x 17 1/2".

See the Turnbull Library image Ref: C-022-009. An exquisite portrait. Very good overall. Item #24300

Price: $750.00

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