Wellington Reception
2 September 2008, Wellington, New Zealand
On Tuesday 2nd September, Prime Minister the Rt Hon Helen Clark accepted, on behalf of the National Library of New Zealand, a rare bookset, ‘Godley Gifts’, to be housed in the Alexander Turnbull Library. The event took place in the National Library, home of the Alexander Turnbull Collection, in Wellington.
The John Robert Godley Memorial Trust has donated the ‘Godley Gifts’ bookset to the National Library and it will be within the Alexander Turnbull Collection that this rare treasure will be loved and cared for, ensuring that others can enjoy it for generations to come.
Prime Minister the Rt Hon Helen Clark spoke at the event “ I would like to thank the John Robert Godley Memorial Trust for this very generous gift…and I am sure that the National Library will treasure and care for this gift as they treasure and care for all our Taonga”.
This book set of three volumes takes its name from the renowned Canterbury founder, John Robert Godley and his son Arthur (later first Lord Kilbracken). In 1858, Arthur Godley received the gift of Seadrift, written for him as a boy, from James Edward FitzGerald (founder of the Lyttelton Times and The Press). James Edward FitzGerald was a gifted writer and scholar as well as a skilful architect, musician, orator and painter. A commanding political figure, FitzGerald led the province of Canterbury as its first Superintendent, was New Zealand’s first Auditor General, and considered by some to be New Zealand’s first Prime Minister.
Seadrift is New Zealand’s earliest illustrated children’s book and probably New Zealand’s first illustrated work of fiction. An exact replica of Seadrift is the second volume in the bookset. No further replica copies of Seadrift – over and above the 100 copies within the limited edition and the 10 printer’s proofs – will ever be produced.
Volume one of ‘Godley Gifts’ is a collection of original essays commissioned for the publication from renowned writer and actor, David McPhail. The essays deal with the lives of the Godleys, of FitzGerald and of the intriguing provenance of Seadrift.
In presenting the bookset to the National Library on behalf of the John Robert Godley Memorial Trust, Haydn Rawstron commented “Had Christchurch become New Zealand’s capital in 1856, when it became New Zealand’s first city, New Zealanders might today likely have adopted Canterbury’s and Christchurch’s founder, John Robert Godley, as its George Washington or Thomas Jefferson since Godley, perhaps alone among New Zealand’s early founders, possessed comparable stature. ‘A whale in a duck pond’ one early commentator described him, the ‘whale’ also being a reference to his formidable intellect. Britain’s great 19th century Prime Minister, William Gladstone, went further, describing Godley as a ‘king among men’.”
Volume three is a collection of early Canterbury-related watercolours by James Edward FitzGerald, most of which have never been published, and none exhibited.
The ‘Godley Gifts’ set now has a home within the Alexander Turnbull Collection, which is most fitting for such a valuable piece of New Zealand literary history. The three volumes of this fine bookset are each hand-finished to the highest standard of craftsmanship, and carefully encased in a beautiful presentation box. The National and Alexander Turnbull Libraries are delighted to accept this welcome gift of New Zealand’s heritage, which will have pride of place amongst the collections.
The ‘Godley Gifts’ set will be on public display in the Alexander Turnbull Library, corner of Molesworth and Aiken Streets, Wellington, from 3rd to 12th September 2008. Opening hours 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday.
For further information
Christine Brennan
Senior Communications & Marketing Advisor
National Library of New Zealand
Email : christine.brennan@natlib.govt.nz
Telephone : (04) 474 3000 ext 8664
Mobile : 021 23 79174
Helen Clark