First edition of an early work from the cradle of printing in the Pacific Islands, comprising a selection of the Pauline epistles translated into the Tahitian language for the very first time. The work includes Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. As other works printed in Tahiti at this time, it is exceedingly rare.
The present work was translated by the Welsh Methodist schoolmaster and missionary John Davies (1772-1855), who served as a missionary and teacher for the London Missionary Society (LMS) in Tahiti from 1800 until his death in 1855. He became superintendent of a school at Papara established by the LMS, and was involved in the planning of mission schools in Fiji. As a gifted linguist, Davies was also the author of the first work ever published in Tahitian, a spelling book in that language, which was printed in London in 1810.
He published numerous other works on or in the Tahitian language, including a dictionary and grammar, and translations from the New Testament and Psalms, Browns Catechism, the Westminster Catechism, and the Pilgrims Progress, as well as several minor works. A second edition of the present work was published in 1825.
With the bookplate of the Library of the Theological Seminary of the Diocese of Ohio mounted on the front pastedown, and a bookbinder's stamp on the inside of the chemise. The edges and corners of the boards are somewhat scuffed, the boards are somewhat rubbed, with some loss of material at the spine ends. A tiny wormhole at the top edge of the title page, occasional very light foxing. Otherwise in good condition. Darlow & Moule, 9072; Harding, The Tahitian imprints of the London Missionary Society, 1810-1834, no. 37; OReilly & Reitman 5851; WorldCat 1157012789, 249714621, 952322876, 1556664 (16 copies).