Williams, Roger | Roger Williams's first book, with an important triple provenance

Williams, Roger

A Key into the Language of America: or, An help to The Language of the Natives in that part of America, called New-England … with Brief Observations of the Customs, Manners and Worships … of the aforesaid Natives. London: Printed by Gregory Dexter, 1643

Small 8vo (151 x 96 mm). Title-page skillfully reattached and lightly soiled, some small nicks and tears in upper corners and margins, nicks on D2.3 neatly repaired, occasional rust or ink spots; paper creases on I1 and I7 affecting register. nineteenth-century olive morocco gilt, paneled covers and spine, edges gilt; joints lightly rubbed. Half calf gilt clamshell case.

The earliest printed book by the founder of Rhode Island and the first printed grammar and vocabulary of the Narragansett language. Roger Williams arrived in Boston in 1631 and soon after became a teacher in Salem Church. When his theologically liberal views incurred the hostility of Salem authorities within three months of his appointment, Williams moved to more hospitable Plymouth, where he met the chiefs of the Wampanoags and Narragansetts. He studied the latter's language intensely over a two-year period, his efforts ultimately recorded in this dictionary and phrase book. Although chiefly philological in character, A Key is interspersed with poems and Williams's lively observations about the Indians and their customs — a people Williams describes in his preface as having "no Clothes, Bookes, nor Letters, … therefore they are easily perswaded that the God that made English men is a greater God, because Hee hath so richly endowed the English above themselves," but, "From Adam and Noah that they spring, it is granted on all hands."

This copy has a remarkable and distinguished provenance, having belonged to three of the greatest early collectors of Americana, with their bookplates or tickets: George Brinley, Brayton Ives, and Edward Ayer.

PROVENANCE

George Brinley (bookplate; Leavitt, 10 March 1878, lot 2380) — Gen. Brayton Ives (bookplate; American Art Galleries, 5 March 1891, lot 1078) — Edward Everett Ayer (his gift bookplate, 1911), given to — The Newberry Library (Sotheby's, 1 November 1993, lot 237)

REFERENCE

Celebration of My Country 7; Church 460; European Americana 643/125; Field 2560; Sabin 104339; Vail 102; Wing W2766