William MARSDEN

Second editions, partially original, of the French and Dutch translations; the text is bilingual (Dutch and French), and includes numerous passages printed in Malay (cf. Cordier, "Indosinica", 1385. Not mentioned by Quérard).

Bound in chocolate-brown half shagreen, spine with four small raised bands decorated with gilt fillets and dots, joints split then restored, marbled paper boards showing some scratches, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, small tears to edges; 19th-century binding.

Waterstains affecting the first and last few leaves of the volume.

The translator’s lengthy preface (47 pp.) appears here for the first time. Pages 235 to 344 contain exercises (original texts and their translations). "The first proof sheet of my Dictionary of the Malayan language was received from the printer on the 21st March, and the last on 11th October 1811. On the 24th of that month I corrected the first sheet of the Grammar, and both works were published in the early part of the following year. The impression was large, and, unfortunately for my labours, the extensive possessions conquered from the Dutch, where the Malayan is spoken, were gratuitously restored to them, and my sale contracted. Within these few years the Government of the Netherlands has done me the honour of causing translations of my Grammar and Dictionary, which has been hably executed by M. Elout fils, and to the politeness of M. Elout, minister for the colonies, I am indebted for copies of them." Cf. Marsden, Memoirs, pp. 143–144, cited by Cordier. The English orientalist William Marsden (Dublin, 1754–1836) was also director of the East India Company and secretary to the Admiralty. He had travelled to Sumatra in 1771 following his brother, an agent of the Company, and devoted his time there to learning the local language. "After spending eight well-used years in Sumatra, he returned to England in 1779 in hopes of securing a more lucrative position. Initially unsuccessful, he dedicated his retirement to a geographical and historical study of the island. Around this time, he became acquainted with Sir Joseph Banks, who introduced him to several eminent figures such as Dalrymple, Rennell, Maskelyne, Solander, and Herschel. He was soon elected a member of the Royal Society. His History of Sumatra, published in 1782, earned him that distinction (...) The principal fruits of his studious retirement were a Grammar and a Dictionary of the Malay language, an excellent translation of the Travels of Marco Polo (1817), with a highly valuable commentary, a catalogue of his rich collection of Oriental coins, and three Essays, the most important of which concerns the languages of Polynesia" [Hoefer].

First French edition, translated by Parraud. One large folding map and one plate of Rejang, Batta and Lampoon alphabets.
Contemporary full brown speckled sheep binding. Inversion of leaves between p. 354 and 357, also between p. 359 and 361. Smooth spine decorated with 3 stamps and various fillets. Fillets at tail and gilt rules. Brown calf title-label. Joints of volume 1 cracked at head for 1 cm, same for volume 2 at tail. Traces of rubbing, particularly at joints. 3 corners cut. Tailcap of volume 2 worn. Scattered foxing.
This is indisputably the best and most complete work on the subject, the literature of which was then rather poor. Only two other books on Sumatra from the same period can be distinguished, which are much less rich in detail. Among all the productions of the island, pepper grows in abundance, Marsden carefully describes the different species and the manner of cultivating them. Besides the description of Sumatra, provides important information on Celebes, Philippines, Japan, Indonesia. William Marsden spent eight years on the island of Sumatra as an administrator, having followed his brother who was employed by the East India Company.