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#4048R Patarangukai, Maori chief Albumen photograph, c early 1890's (on original double-sided album page) 218 x 150 mm (mount slightly larger) Photographer: JS Powell Titled in the negative and numbered NZ17347 JV. The initials JV are those of James Valentine, a succesful Scottish commercial photographer and father of George Valentine. However, the photograph was actually taken in 1892 or 1893 by Dundee photographer JS Powell, who spent a year in New Zealand on behalf of the James Valentine and Sons company. Powell's work has been mistakenly attributed to George Valentine on more than one occasion. (This information was kindly provided by Ken Hall, author of George D Valentine: A 19th Century Photographer in New Zealand, Craig Potton, 2004). The chief's face bears an impressive moko; he wears a cloak decorated with black cords, korowai, over a flax cape, kotokoti; in his hair he wears two white-tipped huia feathers, the most highly prized of all feathers, and he holds his taiaha (fighting staff) in his right hand. Condition is excellent, though the image is slightly faded; the mount has a small tear on top edge. The photograph verso shows two Maori guides in a canoe at the mouth of a river cave (probably Glow Worm Cave, Waitomo), accompanying a small group of Europeans on an expedition.