Eskimoisches Wörterbuch, gesammelt von den Missionaren in Labrador .. by Erdmann, Friedrich - 1864

Budissin: Ernst Moritz Monse, 1864. First edition. iv, 360; 242 pp. 2 vols. 8vo. Quarter black-dyed sheep and patterned paper over boards. First edition. iv, 360; 242 pp. 2 vols. 8vo. The first dictionary of the Labrador Eskimos. This is the first dictionary of the Labrador Eskimos, compiled by Erdmann who was a missionary in the area. He would go on to translate and print sections of the Bible in the same language. There is a two page introduction discussing orthography and Inuktitut grammar. The second volume of this set is rare on the market, no copies of it are located on auction records.

Choice set with an excellent provenance. It was formerly owned by pilot and surveyor Robert Archibald Logan, who accompanied Arctic veteran Jozeph-Elezart Bernier on his 1922 Eastern Arctic expedition to establish posts at Craig Harbour on Ellesmere Island and Pond Inlet on Baffin Island. Indeed, he has inscribed the second volume: "Ellesmere Island. Latitude 76 20 N 27/8/22.". Cf. Howgego III, B17; Pilling, Bibliography of the Eskimo Language, p. 30; Zaunmueller, 121