Lumsden, Matthew.

Estimate

2,500 - 3,500 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

A Grammar of the Persian Language; comprising a portion of the elements of Arabic inflexion; together with some observations on the structure of either language. Calcutta: Printed by T. Watley, at the Honorable Company's Press, 1810

first edition, 2 volumes, folio (310 x 183mm.), text in English and Persian, pp.i-xxxiv, 2 pp. (contents), pp.1-458; 4pp. (title and contents), pp.1-582, 4pp. (postscript and advertisement), contemporary red morocco gilt with stamp of Signet Library on each cover, binding slightly rubbed

Provenance

George Swinton, red morocco gilt label of presentation [to the Signet Library]; Signet Library, Edinburgh, gilt stamp on all covers

Literature

not in Wilson or Ghani

Catalogue Note

a good copy in a contemporary red morocco binding. Lumsden (1777-1835) "went to India as assistant professor of Persian and Arabic in the College of Fort William, and in 1808 succeeded to the professorship. In 1812 he was appointed secretary to the Calcutta Madrasa, and superintended various translations of English works into Persian then in progress. From 1814 until 1817 he had charge of the East India Company's press at Calcutta" (Gordon Goodwin, revised by Parvin Loloi, in ODNB).