Oceanic Mythology: The Myths of Polynesia, Micronesia, Melanesia, and Australia
Roslyn Poignant
📚 Genre
Non-Fiction - Mythology and Folklore
🏢 Publisher
Paul Hamlyn
📅 Publication Year
1967
🔢 ISBN
0600023729
About This Book
An exploration of the traditional mythologies and religious beliefs of the indigenous peoples of Oceania, covering Polynesia, Micronesia, Melanesia, and Australia. The cover features a striking photograph of a dark carved artifact with inlaid shell eyes against a solid red background, with white and blue typography.
Book Details
Language
English
Pages
143
Edition
First Edition Hardcover
Series
Part of the Paul Hamlyn Mythology series
Target Audience
General Audience, Academic
Collector Information
Condition
Good. The dust jacket shows noticeable shelf wear, edge wear, and minor fading along the spine and edges. The red background is slightly scuffed.
Estimated Value
$15-$35
Rarity
Common. Frequently found in secondhand bookstores and online marketplaces, though copies with intact and unclipped dust jackets in very good condition are becoming somewhat less common.
Historical Significance
Part of a mid-20th-century wave of accessible, richly illustrated comparative mythology books that brought non-Western cultural traditions to a broad Western audience.
Collector Notes
Key points for collectibility include the presence and condition of the original dust jacket, as these Hamlyn editions are prone to edge wear and sun fading. Store upright in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve the red pigment on the dust jacket.
Similar Books
The Mythology of All Races by Louis Herbert Gray, African Mythology by Geoffrey Parrinder, American Indian Mythology by Cottie Burland, Asian Mythology by Veronica Ions
Notable Features
Profusely illustrated with color and black-and-white photographs of indigenous art, artifacts, and cultural sites from the Pacific region.