The first grammar of the Ethiopian language, and the first study of any African language to appear in Europe.
Chaldeae seu Aethiopicae Linguae Institutiones.
Rome Typis Sac. Congregationis de Propaganda Fide 1630
Second edition, pp.[viii], 86. A very good copy bound in early 19th century half vellum, marbled boards.
Sacchetti Sassetti, Angeloi - La vita e gli scritti di Mariano Vittori, 1917; Smitskamp PO 218
The first grammar of the Ethiopian language, and the first study of any African language to appear in Europe. Mariano Vittori (1485-1572), Bishop of Rieti, took a particular interest in eastern languages. He misused Chaldaea in his title as Ethiopian monks at Rome believed their language to originate in Chaldaea. This second edition was edited by Achilles Venerius, Superintendent of the Congregatio from 1626 to 1636.