TWO EARLY INSCRIBED ROBERT MOFFAT-TRANSLATED TSWANA BIBLE BOOKS

This lot comprises the following two early biblical items translated by Robert Moffat:

1. Likaelo tse ri tlauchoeng mo Bibelieng go buisioa mo likoleng yaka Mokhua oa Beritan, Mo Puong ea Sechuana. Kuruman: Printed by R. Moffat and R. Edwards, 1833. 12° (172 x 110mm). Modern quarter calf and marbled boards. FIRST EDITION PRESENTATION COPY, inscribed by Theophilus Atkinson, 1838, as "from my esteemed Brother R. Moffat." This inscription would appear to be by Atkinson although the name R. Moffat  seems remarkably like the signature of Moffat himself?? The book comprises bible lessons for schools and is a very early printing at the Kuruman Press. Peters and Tabane, Bibliography of the Tswana Language, No. 136.The preliminary page with the inscription seems to have had some professional repairs but otherwise a very good copy. 

2. Likaelo tse ri tlaogoen mo Likualon tsa Morimo, go buisioa mo likolen kaha Thutanon ea Mokhua oa Beritan ka Puon ea Secuana. Mo kabon li for. London: Printed by W. McDowall for the use of the Bechuana, 1841. 12° (180 x 115mm). Original cloth. PRESENTATION COPY, inscribed on front endpaper "Theosophic lessons, translated into the language of the Bechuana, and presented to the Spring Hill College, Birmingham by the Translator, Robert Moffat, Oct. 10th, 1842." With the College book label on paste-down. A re-issue of Scripture Lessons first printed at Kuruman, 1833. The first UK edition. Peters and Tabane No. 623. The original black cloth has some wear at the front joint but otherwise this is a very good tight copy. 

Robert Moffat (1795 - 1883) was a Scottish missionary to Africa and Bible translator, who was known for his efforts to improve local living standards in Africa. He was also the father-in-law of the missionary and explorer David Livingstone (1813–73). With little training, Moffat was assigned in 1816 by the London Missionary Society to go to South Africa. After spending seven years in several locations that were disrupted by warfare among Zulu tribesmen, he settled at Kuruman, south east of the Kalahari (desert). There he lived for 49 years, building one of the foremost Protestant missionary communities in Africa. He traveled widely, and he encountered numerous tribes and mastered the Tswana language, into which he translated the Gospel According to Luke (1830). Through his influence the number of converts rose rapidly, and by 1857 he had completed a Tswana translation of the entire Bible. In 1838 he wrote A Book of Hymns in Chuana (Tswana). After learning the Tswana language, Robert Moffat translated the Westminster Catechism and some great Hymns of the Reformation into Tswana. He was the author of 'Missionary Labours and Scenes in South Africa' (1842), a copy of the first edition of which (with an autograph sentiment laid in), is also offered on this sale. 

NOTE: The two books on offer here were part of a lot of six Robert Moffat biblical books sold at Christie's Auctioneers in London in 2004. Only two of these books were inscribed by Moffat and the one on offer here bore the more interesting inscription. This lot fetched 6,214 UK Pounds - and that was 15 years ago! Moffat biblical books and translations would appear to be excedingly scarce and more so inscribed copies. They do not seem to be listed in the SABIB. I believe the reserve price on this lot to be very attractive!