Crowther, Samuel (ed.); and Vidal, Owen E. (intro.), A Vocabulary of the Yoruba Language, Seeleys 1852

Title: A Vocabulary of the Yoruba Language
Author: Crowther, Samuel (ed.); and Vidal, Owen E. (intro.)
Publisher: Seeleys
Year published: 1852
Place of Publication: London
Book Condition: Fine
Size: 8vo
Binding: Cloth Boards
Edition: First

Notes: A Vocabulary of the Yoruba Language; compiled by the Rev. Samuel Crowther, Native Missionary of the Church Missionary Society. Together with introductory remarks by the Rev. O. E. Vidal, M. A., Bishop Designate of Sierra Leone (London: Seeleys, 1852), pp. vii, 38, [2], 287. 8vo. Embossed cloth boards in original binder’s cloth (binders indicated as being Kelly & Sons, London). Ex library with usual stamps. The binding is a little frayed and bumped around the spine on which the original borwn has somewhat faded. Small ink stain at the top of the outer front board. Gilt titling on spine. Embossed decorative motif on front and back boards. Pages clean except for slight foxing on the preliminary and trailing pages. This is the first edition of Crowther’s vocabulary to include the 38 pages of ‘introductory remarks’ by Owen E. Vidal. A previous edition of the vocabulary, including an explanation of Yoruba grammar, appeared in London in 1843. Samuel Crowther was a Yoruba clergyman of the Church of England who, as it is written in the prefatory ‘Advertisement’ included in this volume, was ‘re-captured from Brazilian slavers by the cruisers of the British squadron, and landed at Sierra Leone, where [he] received a Christian education in the schools of the Church Missionary Society.’ A very rare and interesting book.