SUMMARY
A very scarce example of the Tibetan Alphabetum issued by the Sacra Congregatio de Propaganda Fide. The Alphabetum series was one of the first to print the script of different languages.
First Edition,Illustrated,Leather Binding
Overall Condition: Very Good
This book weighs 0.5 KG when packed
UK Postage: £ 3.99
US Postage: £ 15.99
EU Postage: £ 13.99
European Postage: £ 14.99
Asia Postage: £ 18.99
Worldwide Postage: £ 19.99
DESCRIPTION
Written in Latin, and Tibetan.
A first thus of this work.
'The Alphabetum' was created as a reference text for Catholic missionaries who travelled worldwide to promote God's message. The Sacra Congregatio de Propaganda Fide printing press was established by The Vatican in 1622. The press held the largest collection of printing types from languages and scripts worldwide. They quickly produced these booklets of exotic languages, which included Arabic, Greek, Iberian, Syrian among many other languages.
Presented in a handy pocket sized format, the Alphabetums were a marvel of printing at the time. It demonstrated printing of characters not seen by western audiences.
Ex library stamps contemporary to the work to the rear of title page, for Biblioth Regia Berolinensi.
With the vignette seal of the Congregation.
This work includes the Lord's prayer, the Ave Maria, the Apostles' creed and the Ten commandments in Tibetan and Latin.
The Tibetan Alphabetum was the first time that there was a western publication on the Tibetan language. It is based on information sent back by missionaries, from the Capuchin mission at Lhasa.
The work was first published under the name 'Alphabetum Tibetanum' and it would appear that this 1773 printing is the first time that the work appeared under the title 'Alphabetum Tangutanum sive Tibetanum'.
The folding plate is provided in facsimile.
An important work in print development and language education.
CONDITION
In a half calf binding with marbled boards. Damage to the head of spine and to the outer corner to the bottom of both boards. Loss to the leather, resulting in the minor damage and loss to the bottom corner of pages, not affecting text. Contemporary library stamp to the verso of title page and contemporary inscription to the head of title page 'Ax J 6'. Pages are bright and clean.
Overall Condition: Very Good
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Overall Condition
(Dustwrapper condition rating is shown after that for the book itself, where a dustwrapper is present)
Fine - Very well preserved copy showing very little wear
Very Good Indeed - Only one or two minor faults, really a very attractive copy
Very Good - Quite a wide term meaning no major faults but probably several smaller ones
often expected given the age of the book, but still a respectable copy
Good - Meaning not very good. Some more serious faults as will
be described in the condition report under 'condition'
Good Only - Meaning one or more faults that could really do with repair
Fair - As with good only above but with other faults
leaving a compromised copy even after repair
Poor - Really bad and possibly seriously incomplete.
We only sell books in this condition where their rarity or value makes them
attractive none the less. Major defects will be described.
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