The New Masthead of Ke Alaula and Its Design.
Cover Image: Masthead of Ke Alaula published in April, 1867.
Aloha kākou e nā makamaka heluhelu o nei paena pūnaewele,
Have you ever wondered about some of the design choices in newspaper mastheads? The newspaper Ke Alaula provides us with an example of a masthead along with the story and explanation behind its design.
The first edition of Ke Alaula was published in April 1866 with this masthead:
Image: First Masthead of Ke Alaula, Ke Alaula, April, 1866.
One year later, Ke Alaula showcases a newly designed masthead and an explanation behind its design:
Image: New Masthead of Ke Alaula, Ke Alaula, April, 1867.
Image: “Ke Poo Hou,” Ke Alaula, April 1867, p. 3.
THE NEW MASTHEAD.
Arrived by freight from Boston, aboard the “Morning Star,” was the copper plate upon which was engraved the words “KE ALAULA,” in characters of a peculiar fashion. It was our dear friend, an instructor of the Sunday School of Kaumakapili, Robert Andrews, that drafted this image, drew it with pencil on paper, and it was sent by us to Boston, where it was engraved upon a copper plate, and when this copper component was set together with the type of Ke Alaula, and printed on paper, out came our brand new masthead, a peculiar sight to adorn the face of our beloved newspaper.
On this new masthead one can recognize the dawn opening above Mauʻumae, along with rays of sunshine emerging forth. Lēʻahi is also seen, with the coconut grove of Waikīkī, and the double-masted brig “Morning Star,” descending out beyond the sea of Waikīkī.
Image: The King’s Residence at Waikīkī; Honolulu, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, ca. 1870. Bishop Museum Archives, SP 114154
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org.
Image: Morning Star II, as appearing in Ke Alaula, April 1867, p. 3.
Image: “Ke Poo Hou,” Ke Alaula, April 1867, p. 3.
We are hopeful that this new improvement to the paper’s appearance will be like a new child adorned in a fine and immaculate garment, favored by his friends and parents; we greatly wish the same upon this companion of the youth, as it enters its second year of life. We, the publishers of this paper, will strive vigorously so that there are many fresh ideas and items that bring joy and are beneficial to our subscribers.
If you look closely in the bottom left corner of the masthead, there is an inscription that reads “R.W.A. Del.,” the initials of Lopaka Anelu, or Robert Wilson Andrews, the son of Rev. Lorrin Andrews. “Del.” is short for Delineavit, a Latin term literally translating to “He drew it.” He was a prolific artist that specialized in graphite landscape drawings. Andrews taught Sunday school at the original Kaumakapili and at Maʻemaʻe Sunday School, near current day Maʻemaʻe Elementary. He was educated at both the Royal School and Punahou School and later attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He worked in machine shops in Boston, Providence and Cincinnati and when he returned home to Hawaiʻi, he was a sugar mill engineer at Wailuku, Kohala, Pāhala, Pāpaʻikou, Hāmākua Poko and ʻEwa. He also worked as the recorder of the Hawaiian Mission Children’s Society (today the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives).
Looking to the bottom right side of the masthead is another inscription that reads “John Andrew,” which is short for John Andrew & Sons, an engraving shop that was located on the corner of Temple Place and Tremont Street in Boston. The proprietor, John Andrew, was a trained engraver originally from Hull, London. His firm specialized in fine book illustrations, and wood and copper engravings—some of his most famous work appearing in the 1845 publication of Arabian Nights and Charles Heath’s 1844 publication, Beauties of the Opera and Ballet.
The design is fitting of the name “Ke Alaula,” the dawning, representing the dawning of new knowledge, with symbols of the morning: a scene depicting the dawning of light over Mauʻumae ridge, Lēʻahi, the famous coconut grove of Helumoa, and the ship Hoku Ao (Morning Star) front and center.
Image: Portrait of Robert Wilson Andrews, (6/8/1873–5/19/1922). Bishop Museum Archives SP 224264
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org.
This post is part of He Aupuni Palapala: Preserving and Digitizing the Hawaiian Language Newspapers, a partnership between Bishop Museum and Awaiaulu with assistance from Kamehameha Schools. Mahalo nui loa to Hawaii Tourism Authority for their support. Learn more about this project here.
