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ELLIS, WILLIAM Polynesian Researches, During a Residence of Nearly Six Years in the South Sea Islands; including Descriptions of the Natural History and Scenery of the Islands, with Remarks on the History, Mythology, Traditions, Government, Arts, Manners and
Customs London. Fisher, Son, & Jackson, 1829. First Edition. 8vo; 2 volumes, xvi, 536; viii, 576pp, illus, 2 engraved frontispieces, 6 fine engraved plates (of idols, tombs, etc) with tissue guards, 2 maps (one fldg), facsimile. contemp 1/2 calf with marbled boards, joints cracking, but firm (one re-enforced), clean, very good set. ¶ Cox ii, P502 (referring to the later 1830 issue): ""One of the earliest instances of ethnological research by a missionary, and valuable for its information on the mythology, traditions, customs, etc of the south sea islanders while still little sophisticated by Europeans. . The publication of this work went far to redeem the character of missionaries in the eyes of some who had thought of them all as ignorant and narrow-minded"". An important contribution. Judd 60. Day (Pacific Island Literature, 100 basic books) 40: 'A more intesting book we have never perused. The work was used as source material by Herman Melville'.
Offered for US$ 923.00 by: Horizon Books - Book number: N76
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