Momolu Massaquoi - wearing the family crown, c. 1905. Origin: family.
The long history of the crown, still in active use, is fully explored in the forthcoming study of Momolu's life: The First African Diplomat. I met Paramount Chief Madam Woki Massaquoi in her town, Blama Massaquoi, Pujehun District, Southern Province, Sierra Leone in 1967. Madam ruled, and wore the crown, from 1925 until her death on 1 August 1971, over100 years old. Her Regent, Lasana Massaquoi who also wore the crown, succeeded her.

Consul General Momolu Massaquoi in the Diplomatic Regalia - c. 1925.
Origin: family.
Massaquoi was appointed the first Liberian Minister Consul-General in Hamburg in an attempt to revive post-WWI trading links. From 1922 to 1929 he served as the only indigenous African diplomat in Europe. His many children were an important concern, making him an attentive father, mindful of their education, instilling in them racial pride as they were buffeted in a sea of whiteness.

Specimen of Vai Writing by M. Massaquoi, Origin Journal of the African Society, 1911.
He had a life long interest in the language and lost no opportunity to promote the Vai script. "At the University of Hamburg," he wrote, "I also lectured in African languages.."

Queen Sandimanni - Momolu's Mother, c. 1886.
Origin: Reisebilder aus Liberia, Leiden, 1890, by Johann Büttikofer.
Dr. Johann Büttikofer (1850-1927), a Bernois Swiss botanist employed by the Dutch government, made two trips to Liberia while curator of the Royal Zoological Museum in Leiden. The first was from 1879 to 1882, the second from 1886 to 1887. Büttikofer stayed with Queen Sandimanni twice, first in June 1881, and again in late November 1886.