JOURNAL OF WILLIAM ELLIS: Narrative of a Tour of Hawaii, or Owhyhee; with Remarks on the History, Traditions, Manners, Customs and Language of the Inhabitants of the Sandwich Islands

Honolulu, Hawaii: Advertiser Publishing Company, Ltd, 1963. Hardcover. Fine. Facsimile reprint of the 1827 London edition and the 1917 Hawaii edition, with an Introduction by Thurston Twigg-Smith. An English missionary, Ellis (1794-1872) traveled through the Society Islands, Hawaiian Islands and Madagascar, and wrote several books describing his experiences. He also developed a form of writing for the Hawaiian language, and set up at Tahiti the first printing press in the South Seas. Presentation copy, inscribed by Twigg-Smith to the prominent San Diego newspaper publisher and philanthropist James S. Copley, with Copley's bookplate to the front pastedown. Octavo. In a three-quarter red leatherette over marbled paper binding, with gilt stamping. A fine copy. (Inventory #: 68035)