A dictionary of the Kalispel or Flat-Head Indian language, compiled by the missionaries of the Society of Jesus. Part I: Kalispel-English. Part II: English-Kalispel

[Giorda, J[oseph], Rev., Joseph Bandini, & Gregory Mengarini]

Published by St. Ignatius Print, Montana, 1877

About this Item

First edition, 3 vols. in 1; 8vo, pp. [4], 644; [8], 456; [4], 36; appendix to the first volume with separate title page at the back; later three-quarter green morocco over green cloth sides, gilt decorated spine in 6 compartments, red morocco label in 1, t.e.g., others uncut; near fine throughout. Engraved bookplate of Rt. Rev. Nathaniel S. Thomas (1867-1937), second bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming, serving from 1909 to 1927. "The author owes much to the manuscript dictionary of Rev. G. Mengarini, who, first of all the Jesuit missionaries, possessed himself of the genius of this language, and, besides speaking it with the perfection of a native Indian, reduced it also to the rules of grammar" (Preface). Pilling, Salishan, p. 28; Schoenberg, Jesuit Mission Presses, nos. 3, 4, and 5: "Considered one of the greatest mission press publications in American history. It represents years of labor by three of the best scholars of Indian language . There has been some speculation about the number of Kalispel dictionaries printed. The exact number is not known. Palladino reports that fifty copies were printed especially for libraries in America and Europe . Other copies, for missionary use, probably amounted to [another] fifty.".

Seller Inventory # 60313

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A dictionary of the Kalispel or Flat-Head Indian language, compiled by the missionaries of the Society of Jesus. Part I: Kalispel-English. Part II: English-Kalispel
• Publisher: St. Ignatius Print, Montana
• Publication Date: 1877
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Seller catalogs:
  • Dictionaries
  • Western Americana
  • Imprints
  • Native Americans