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An unrecorded early Pacific imprint

[Doane Edward Topping] [Primer of Ebon Dialect.] Ebon Mission Press [1860]
First edition, pp.44, woodblock illustrations, additional leaves inserted. There is no title page, but the blank cover is inscribed by Doane with title, and presentation. A worn but still very good copy stitched as issued and preserved in a modern half calf box. Inscribed: R.Andeyon DD, from E.T. Doane, Ebon, Aug 9th, 1860.

The first printed work in Ebon or Marshallese, part of St. Matthews Gospel, was published in 1858. Edward Topping Doane (1820-90) was appointed as an American protestant missionary to the Ebon Atoll in the same year. The Lord's Prayer is on page 43.