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Wooden Letter Opener Carved from the Melanesian Mission

Wooden Letter Opener with a tag on it.
Paper knife carved of wood from the Melanesian Mission schooner, ‘Southern Cross [III]’, c1893. [KIN-148-2-5]
This delightful keepsake was donated to the library by F. M. Doig from his wife’s family treasures and was recently requested by an overseas researcher studying the Melanesian Mission.

This item is one, among others, that was originally made as a fundraiser for the Melanesian Mission at the turn of the Twentieth Century.

The inscription on the front reads:

“O kano mornkel apen (motú for) In remembrance of Bishop Patterson and Bishop Selwyn.”

And on the back:

“Made out of a bit of the Melanesian Mission schooner, ‘Southern Cross’ 1814-1891.”

Letter Opener with a tag on it.
Paper knife carved of wood from the Melanesian Mission schooner, ‘Southern Cross [III]’, c1893. [KIN-148-2-5]

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