[Wiseman, Hilda Alexandra], 1894-1982 :Ko te Matauranga te kaha. David H Graham; pukapuka taku [Bookplate]

Bookplate shows a Maori lintel wood carving collected by David Graham in 1929, depicting "The emancipated slave". The Maori words at the top "Ko te Matauranga te kaha" are translated by Graham as meaning "Knowledge is strength"; and "Puka puka taku" as "My book".

David Graham worked as a Research Officer of the Auckland War Memorial Museum, and collected Maori artefacts during a tour of the north in June or July 1929. Some typescript notes made by him accompany our copy of the bookplate, and state: "This unique carving was collected by the owner for the Auckland War Memorial Museum in 1929. This historical carving was used as a lintel in a Maori meeting house and know[n] as "Kapa Toru" (emancipated slave). The head below represents the slave, the one above the emancipated slave who was raised to the rank of a Chief on account of his prowess as a hunter, fighter and his physique, and was given a woman of royal rank in marriage. The wood is totara; black insets are of charcoal and the whole very old. It [ie the bookplate] was made to be affixed to my works on the Maori".

Two copies held.

Quantity: 1 b&w art print(s).

Physical Description: Woodcut, 70 x 95 mm