The Indian Sign Language, with Brief Explanatory Notes of the Gestures Taught...and War Signals of our Aborigines
Philadelphia: L.R. Hamersly & Co., 1885. First edition. Hardcover. 8vo. [4], 5-443, [1], [4] pages of publisher's advertisements, including ads for other historical works on Native Americans, published in the nineteenth century. Includes a fold-out map with the Native American reservations west of the 84th Meridian and their populations diagrammed. Navy-blue blindstamped cloth with gold lettering on the spine. Includes the bookplate of P.G. Wood, U.S. Army, on the front pastedown. Wood served in the Civil War as a First Lieutenant of the 7th California Volunteer Infantry. Wood was promoted to Brigadier General in 1906, and served in the Spanish War ("Palmer Gaylord Wood", Arlington Cemetery). Howes C 449. The text is organized as an alphabetized dictionary, and describes how a speaker ought to form each sign for each word with their hands. A fascinating early text on sign language, and how sign language worked among Native Americans. Very Good. Item #00008140
A Very Good book with mild rubbing to the boards, touch of fading to the spine, and a tiny strain to each hinge.
Price: $300.00