Haast, J. von (1879). Geology of the Provinces of Canterbury & Westland, New Zealand: A Report Comprising the Results of Official Explorations. Christchurch, New Zealand.
Welcome to my Biography of a Book online exhibition prepared for INFO 536.
This online exhibition aims to explore the biography of one particular copy of the above title and provide a detailed profile of it as both a unique physical object and as a representative of a historical expression and representation by a pioneering scientist working to establish a record of physical identity in Canterbury, New Zealand.
This book is one of the earliest illustrated books on geology published in New Zealand, and the most substantial publication by Sir Julius von Haast (1822-1887) – a German-born geologist-explorer based in Christchurch, who was also the founding director of Canterbury Museum.
The genesis of the book is closely linked with the abolishment of the New Zealand Provincial Government system in the late 1870s, when Haast, as Provincial Geologist, was commissioned to write one final report summarising all his previous reports and incorporating previously unpublished results of his scientific explorations.
This online exhibition aims to explore the biography of one particular copy of the above title and provide a detailed profile of it as both a unique physical object and as a representative of a historical expression and representation by a pioneering scientist working to establish a record of physical identity in Canterbury, New Zealand.
This book is one of the earliest illustrated books on geology published in New Zealand, and the most substantial publication by Sir Julius von Haast (1822-1887) – a German-born geologist-explorer based in Christchurch, who was also the founding director of Canterbury Museum.
The genesis of the book is closely linked with the abolishment of the New Zealand Provincial Government system in the late 1870s, when Haast, as Provincial Geologist, was commissioned to write one final report summarising all his previous reports and incorporating previously unpublished results of his scientific explorations.
In its final published form this work represents far more than a manifestation of a final record and expression of the once proudly independent province's scientific efforts and achievements, nor was it merely an expanded illustrated report by the former province's geologist doing due diligence - this was Haast's long anticipated magnum opus, something he put his heart and soul into, leaving nothing untried in order to condense all he had absorbed and observed over almost two decades of hardship and endurance in the face of opposition from both the elements and politicians - this was his one opportunity to present his greatest passion to the world.
The results consist of a fascinating range of collaborations on a global scale - which in due course contributed considerably to Haast's international reputation and fame. In this exhibition we will take a closer look - or even undertake a forensic examination - of this fine book, which was printed in Canterbury and Vienna.
The results consist of a fascinating range of collaborations on a global scale - which in due course contributed considerably to Haast's international reputation and fame. In this exhibition we will take a closer look - or even undertake a forensic examination - of this fine book, which was printed in Canterbury and Vienna.