Print: Baxter CL 85 - George Pritchard was a missionary, merchant, and Consul for the British Government. He returned to England in the Jubilee year of the London Missionary Society and published his ‘Missionaries Reward’ and sailed for the Navigators on January 7th, 1845 the year this print was published.
 
It is a pair with Pomare, Queen of Tahiti, whom with he was very closely connected.
 
This print is from Baxter’s Missionary period of the late 1830’s / 1840’s, of those prints, this has always been my favourite, helped perhaps by the fact that a copy eluded me for some 35+ years showing that this is a rare print. This copy with excellent colours.
 
The background of the print shows the Missionary Chapel with the congregation leaving the Consul's house, the Queen Pomare’s residence and the Bay of Papeete. 
 
When this is on a lettered mount it has a facsimile of his signature and
"HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S CONSUL.
"The scenery represents the Bay of Papeete, Queen Pomare's Palace, the Chapel, and Natives returning from a week-day service.  Designed, Printed in Oil, & Published by G. Baxter, Patentee, 11, Northampton Square, London."
 
Courtney Lewis in 1924 writes: Captain Pritchard was formerly a missionary of the London Missionary Society, and one of the most respected men on the Georgian Islands, and did all he could to protect Pomare, for which reason he was imprisoned by the French in a block-house.  The Catholic and Protestant Missions, as might be expected where so much zeal was shown on both sides, came into sharp conflict.  This print was also, like No. 84, from drawings taken by a naval officer, and lent to Baxter.  The background has much detailed work.  The Missionary Magazine for 1845 says: "From personal knowledge of our friend Mr. Pritchard we are able to bear testimony to the fidelity of his portrait, and, on the authority of Missionary brethren who have had personal intercourse with the exiled and homeless Sovereign of Tahiti, can recommend the picture of Pomare as a correct transcript of the original."  Original published price 10s. 6d.; proofs, 15s
 
Date: 1845
 
Approx. size (cm ht x w): 26.5 x 22.3
 
State: Unmounted
 
Condition: Excellent colours, minor surface damage just under the arch, please see images