How valuable is the very first copy of the New Zealand Herald, from 13 November 1863?
Over
the years, many people have claimed to have a copy of the very first New Zealand Herald. As there are only two known full copies, one
with the publishers and the other with the National Library in
Wellington, any other copy would be extremely valuable.
How
then, can they be sure if the copy is indeed an original from 1863?
My
first question to them is to check the very bottom of Column One on Page Two. If they find the words “Reproduction:
Monday, November 14, 1988”, then they have a reprint even although it has the requisite
six pages.
If
the version they have has only four pages, then odds on they have a copy of the
1913 reprint, but further questions need to follow.
On
Page One is the Z in Zealand with one or two vertical strokes and do the small
pictures of the ships in the shipping columns have full sails, rather than
furled? The 1863 original has two
vertical strokes and furled sails. Below is the 1913 reproduction taken from Paperspast:
The example below is taken from the issue one week after the original and shows what the sketches of the ships looked like with their sails furled:
There
is a further point of confusion, however. The Papers Past version of the 13
November 1863 New Zealand Herald
must have come from the 1913 facsimile, as it has six pages, one stroke on the
Z and full sails. The top right of the first page is also annotated that it is
from the 1913 reproduction.
The example below is taken from the New Zealand Herald page on Paperspast and shows how the original would look with the double vertical lines on the 'Z'.
Auckland
Libraries microfilm version of the first copy is also from the 1913
reproduction as this letter that precedes it on the microfilm explains:
Ref: New Zealand Herald, 13 November 1863, Central Auckland Research Centre, Auckland Libraries.
For
more information about the New Zealand Herald on Paperspast have a read of our previous
posts
on the topic.
Author:
David Verran, Central Auckland Research Centre
My son has what could be an original of the first NZH. He says he's checked it off against the various indicators mentioned in the article and it ticks all the right boxes. How can he verify whether it's authentic?
ReplyDeleteContact The National Library.
ReplyDeleteHi there, yes you could contact the National Library or if it's easier you could call the Central Auckland Research Centre on 09 307 7771 and make an appointment to come in here and speak with David Verran. Thanks, Andrew.
ReplyDeleteKia ora,
ReplyDeleteAuckland War Memorial Museum Library holds the 1st copy which was deposited by Wilson & Horton. Would be interested to see if there is another copy out there!
HOW VALUABLE?? I HAVE ONE IN GOOD CONDITION BEEN FOLDED OVER TWICE BUT STORED WITH OTHER THINGS IN ROOF FOR 85YEARS UNTOUCHED..SLIDEWAYS@USA.COM
ReplyDeleteDo you have any idea of the value of the 1913 reproduction?
ReplyDeleteHi there, we believe the 1913 reprint of the first issue of the New Zealand Herald is not very valuable. It would possibly be worth about $20.00 (NZD) but this is a guess, not based on evidence. Thanks, Zoë.
DeleteHi there just wondering what 1922 up New Zealand heralds are worth?
ReplyDeleteHi j<st wondering about the likely value of the first edition Evening Post from 1865?
ReplyDeleteI have what appears to be the No.1 edirion of The Evening Post 1865. Hiw can I verify this?
ReplyDeleteHi there, thanks for your comment. You could take the issue of the Evening Post to a local rare books dealer to enquire about its value. There are multiple copies of this newspaper in various New Zealand libraries.
DeleteHi, I have a complete edition of the following and would like to know it's value:
DeleteNEW ZEALAND CENTENNIAL 1840-1940, SUPPLEMENT TO THE NEW ZEALAND HERALD. January 22nd 1940.
Front page main picture is of Captain William Hobson, R.N. FIRST GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND.
Thanks.
Hi I have many NZ newspapers from 1850 right up to 1870 wanting to get a ruff idea on values
ReplyDelete