The Papuan Villager. Volumes 1 (1929), 2 (1930), 3 (1931), 4 (1932) and 5 (1933).

A$2,000 · Offered by Douglas Stewart Fine Books

Port Moresby, Papua : Government Printer, 1929-1933. Five volumes, bound in the original pictorial wrappers (as issued at the end of each respective year by the Government printer); Volume 1, nos. 1-11 (complete); Volume 2, nos. 1-12 (complete); Volume 3, nos. 1-12 (complete); Volume 4, nos. 1-12 (complete); Volume 5, nos. 1-12 (complete); all issues in uniform 8-page format, with photographic and line-drawn illustrations; from The Papuan Collection of Charles Fletcher (Melbourne), his bookplates to the inside of the front wrappers; in excellent condition throughout. An exceptional set of the first five years issues of this immensely significant periodical, published by the Australian colonial administration in Papua and edited by the Government Anthropologist, Francis Williams. Extremely rare. The last time any issues from the first five years of The Papuan Villager were offered for sale at auction was in 1970 (Sotheby s, London: Vol. 1 no. 1 to vol. 2 no. 1, twelve issues unbound). The Papuan Villager (1929-1941) was unique in colonial history. It was a newspaper produced by the Australian administration in Papua as a vehicle for what is now called “social marketing.” The Government Anthropologist, Francis Williams, had the idea that a newspaper might be a good way to help Papuans learn English as part of assimilating into western culture. Sir Hubert Murray, Papua’s literate and forward-thinking Lieutenant-Governor, agreed; he thought the newspaper could engender a sense of

• Binding: Hardcover

Found via Rare Books Intel, a search across rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide.