(AMERICAN INDIANS) [Morice Adrien Gabriel] [Pe toestloes oet

Sale 2223 - Lot 14

Price Realized: $ 1,800

?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price

Estimate: $ 200 - $ 300

THE FIRST BOOK PRINTED IN THE DENE ALPHABET (AMERICAN INDIANS.) [Morice, Adrien-Gabriel]. [Pe toestloes oetsotoeleh Jezi Kli hwoeztli et hwotsoen.] 32 pages. 16mo, contemporary plain wrappers, minor wear; toned; uncut; early inscription on inside front wrapper reading "Premier Livre de Lecture en Porteur." [Stuart's Lake Mission, British Columbia, 1890]

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Printed almost entirely in the Carrier or Dene syllabary which had recently been invented by Morice. Arabic numerals are used, and a Latin inscription ("sub tuum præsidium immaculata") appears under a small engraving of the Virgin Mary. The syllabary is still used occasionally by the Dakelh people of central British Columbia, Canada. "The first book printed in these characters. It is a sort of primer containing spelling and elementary reading lessons"--Pilling, Athapascan page 66 (title page also illustrated on page 70).