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). The text is organized as an alphabetized dictionary, and describes how a speaker ought to form each sign for each word with their hands. Howes C 449. 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