Memoir on the History of the Tooth-Relic of Ceylon: With a Preliminary Essay on the Life and System of Gautama Buddha.

CUNHA, Jose Gerson da.

Published by London: W. Thacker & Co.; Thacker, Spink & Co., Calcutta; Higginbotham & Co., Madras; Thacker, Viking & Co., Bombay, 1875

About this Item

First edition, presentation copy, inscribed in a secretarial hand at the head of the title page, "To H.E. Sir Bartle Frere, G.C.S.I, K.C.B., with the author's best respects." The recipient was Governor of Bombay from 1862 to 1867 and elected president of the Royal Geographical Society in 1873. A practising physician in Bombay, da Cunha (1844-1900) wrote widely on the history and archaeology of the region and on Sanskrit. This work, on a sacred Buddhist cetiya, quotes from the Dathavamsa, a Pali chronicle concerning the bringing of the sacred tooth to the Maligawa Temple at Kandy. Frere's (1815-1884) gubernatorial appointment came following his service during the Indian Rebellion. He placed a premium on education, expanding the University of Bombay, where the author was studying medicine. Following this progressive tenure, Frere returned to London. "His work on the Council of India at home and during his two missions abroad, to curb the Zanzibar slave trade (November 1872 June 1873) and to accompany the prince of Wales around the Indian empire (October 1875 April 1876), brought further acclaim and an ever-growing reputation as a great statesman of empire" (ODNB). With the author he shared an interest in numismatics. The final page, listing other works by da Cunha, is annotated in the same secretarial hand with works in the press and in preparation. Not in Cordier. Quarto. Albumen photograph laid down on printed leaf as frontispiece (with tissue guard), 3 other photographs similarly mounted. Original purple cloth, boards panelled in blind, front cover lettered in gilt. Twentieth-century manuscript spine label; front pastedown with mid-century Blackwell bookseller's ticket and two ownership inscriptions ("Bishop"; "R. U. H. Warren"). Boards sunned, tips a little worn, plate with small closed tear not touching photograph: very good.

Seller Inventory # 187091

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Memoir on the History of the Tooth-Relic of Ceylon: With a Preliminary Essay on the Life and System of Gautama Buddha.
• Publisher: London: W. Thacker & Co.; Thacker, Spink & Co., Calcutta; Higginbotham & Co., Madras; Thacker, Viking & Co., Bombay, 1875
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)