[Orientalism]. - Lot 274

[Orientalism]. MEDICI (Minas). Polyglot grammar containing the principles of the Arabic, Persian, Turkish and Tatar languages with analytical remarks from other languages. Venice, Imprimerie Arménienne de St Lazare, 1844. In-folio, 189 p. [including title, dedication, introd. and figures from 24], [1] f. (table), pl., antique black half-percaline, spine gilt, title and gilt thread (spines split, browning and foxing). Very rare first and only early edition of this grammar composed by Father Minas Médici, archimandrite doctor of the Armenian Academy of St. Lazarus, superior of the Catholic Armenians of Karassou-Bazar in Tauride. The book also represents a feat of typographical composition accomplished by the Armenian printers of the island of Saint-Lazare. It is illustrated with a chromolithography plate. Provenance: old signature on the corner of a title.