Introduction to Ethiopian

(Victorius, Marianus / Venerio, Achille [ed.]). [Zentu mashafa temhert zalesam Ge`ez zayessammay Kalédawi haddisa serat tagabra kama yetmahharu ella iya ammeru sannay weetu tagabra]. Chaldeae, seu Aethiopicae linguae institutiones. Opus utile, ec eruditum.

€ 3,500.00

Second edition of Victorius's introduction to the Ethiopian language, first published in 1552. This is the first printing with the newly designed and cut Ethiopic types; an "Alphabetum" appeared one year later. In his preface, Venerius relates how the types were cut after designd received from Jesuit missionaries in Ethiopia. One set of types was sent to them, one was kept for the Propaganda Press.

Front inner hinge broken; title loosened. Some browning throughout. Ms. ownership of Joseph Venturi in Hebrew and Latin on title page, with his note "rara" and date of acquisition "3 Oct. 1785" on pastedown opposite.