[Rarebooks] 1864.Ai Vola Tabu.Fiji Bible.Presented by Cmdr Thornton of USS Kearsarge

[Robert Azzi]

I have just listed on eBay the following book(a consignment item).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360213132302&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

1864_Ai Vola Tabu_Fiji Bible_USS Kearsarge_Civil War / Presented by
Commander Thornton while travelling to Australia, New Zealand and
South Pacific

A Fijian Bible. Old Testament Title Page: Ai Vola Tabu, a ya e tu kina
na Veiyalayalati Makawa, kei na Veiyalayalati Vou: sa laveti ki na
vosa Vaka-Vita vei ira nai talatala Wesilinna. / Londoni, Sa tabaki me
nodra mai na Vale ni Vola Tabu e Lodoni, 1864 kei 1867.

New Testament Title Page: Ai Vola NI Veiyalayalati Vou I Jisu Karisito
na noda Turaga kei na nodai Vakabula /  Sa tabaki mai Lodoni, e
Peritani, 1866.

The Old Testament is 862 pages, The New Testament is 282 pages. The
book is 8.5” (22cm) tall and is bound in full leather with title
stamped on the spine and blind stamping on the cover. All edges Gilt.
The front endpapers are original. The rear endpapers have been
replaced. There is some slight damage/soiling to the last six pages
with no loss of text. Otherwise it is in excellent condition with no
other marks or repairs.

What distinguishes this bible, beyond its rarity, is that on the free
front endpaper is this wonderful inscription: "Henry Wood, 1870. /
Presented by Wesleyan missionaries in the Feejee Islands in the South
Pacific Ocean, and sent by Commander Thornton of the Kearsarge, when
he visited the islands on his way to Australia in the ...?... of
1870."

The USS Kearsarge distinguished itself during the Civil War when it
sank the Confederate ship, The Alabama, in a notable sea battle for
which memebers of the Kearsarge received Medals of Honor. Later,

“On the cold, clear, wintry morning of August 12, 1869, the USS
Kearsarge, James S. Thornton commanding, steamed into Sydney Harbor,
Australia, anchoring in seven fathoms of water at about 8.30. It had
been over five years since the famed vessel had sent the marauding
Confederate cruiser, CSS Alabama, to the bottom of the sea, just off
Cherbourg, France, at which time Thornton had been executive officer
of the Kearsarge. Ever since that fateful day the vessel and her crew
had been feted in every port that she called into, and this was to be
no exception. Since early 1868 the vessel had served in the South
Pacific, cruising that vast area and protecting American commercial
interests. Prior to her arrival off Sydney she had called into ports
at Tahiti and Fiji.”

Obviously, it was during these travels that this bible was presented.
I would love to know who Henry Wood was. Perhaps a sailor - perhaps a
Missionary??!!

Offering subject to prior sale.

Robert Azzi
Exeter NH
603.264.6564