By Brigette Dean, Guardian Staff Reporter

Dr. Hervis Bain, accomplished historian and favourite son of the country, launched three new publications on Thursday morning.

At the offices for the Cultural Development Commission, Dr. Bain announced that the three works were what he considered to be "first fruit books." This heading bears multiple meanings. According to the author the books are set to lay the foundation as a compilation of information to be utilised both by students and other scholars to facilitate their foray into deeper studies. In more than one of the instances, there have not previously been any resource materials on the topics in question.

The first book, entitled The Coat of Arms of The Bahamas, gives the reader an insight into the artist's eye.

As the creator of the Coat of Arms for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Dr. Bain acknowledged that no other document deals exclusively with the makeup and meaning of the national symbol.

The second book is entitled A Negro Man Called Prince. The book centres its attention on a man considered to be a runaway slave by the name of Prince William. Dr. Bain used the biography as a temporal landmark against which to acknowledge the Loyalists' arrival in The Bahamas in 1783, immediately following the American War of Independence. The book's subject lived in The Bahamas for many years before, feeling as though he had attained status as a free man.

Prince William went on to establish St. John's Native Baptist Church. For this and other steps made by the former captive, he was labelled a dissenter.

The third book deals with subject matter very near and dear to Dr. Bain's heart, his birthplace. The book is titled Acklins Island: The Island the Lucayan Indians called Yabake. Dr. Bain stated, "The third book is perhaps the jewel in the crown. This book draws attention to that south eastern island in The Bahamas called Acklins. The island that has given The Bahamas some stalwarts, some nation builders, some strong men." The prolific author has paid visits to his island home for more than a generation and drew attention to its attractive uniqueness. The book contains texts and photographs, which entail and depict the island's geographical layout, climate, vegetation and its people, beginning with its earliest settlers.

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Local Government, V. Alfred Gray, who in addition to being the representative for the MICAL constituency was also born on Acklins, was on hand to accept the first copy of the Acklins tribute. He said, "I am very pleased that I have the privilege of accepting the first copy of this historic memoir on behalf of the people of Acklins, who I have the privilege to represent in the MICAL constituency."

Mr Gray spoke of Dr. Bain's involvement in the genesis of the movement which led to independence for The Bahamas. At the risk of bragging, he stated, "The truth be told, Acklins has given to this country its first Prime Minister. It has given to this country one of its Governors-General. It has given to this country its first Deputy Prime Minister. It has given to this country many firsts."

Also on hand for the book launches was Rev. C. B. Moss, former President of the Bahamas Christian Council and the Acklins Trade and Development Association. He said, "I would strongly and highly recommend this book to be placed in the hands of not every Acklins islander, but every Bahamian."