The Reverend J. Williams first Interview with Natives of Erromanga.
London: George Baxter, 1842. Oil lithograph in colors with engraving on cream wove paper, laid down to card stock, 7 3/8 x 4 3/8 inches (195 x 120 mm) full margins. Scattered moderate but light colored foxing throughout, with surface soiling and slightly attenuated colors. Presented in the original black lacquer and gilt wood frame.
A hopeful moment before a well document tragedy, Baxter created several versions of this scene and its aftermath in various sizes. He was clearly captivated by the gruesome story which ended in the massacre of missionary Reverend John Williams and his party. As Williams and fellow missionary James Harris stepped ashore they were attacked with clubs by the native people and reportedly eaten by them, in one of the most well documented cases of cannibalism. Recently the decedents of Williams have taken part in a reconciliation ceremony in the South Pacific to mark the 170th anniversary of the death of Reverend Williams and James Harris. It had been a long-awaited event by the current inhabitants of Erromanga, now part of Vanuatu, and the reconciliation was prompted by the belief that their island was cursed by the killings. One of the most prominent missionaries of his day, the Reverend John Williams is often referred to as the Martyr of Polynesia.
Item number: 806
Price: $200.00
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