CHALMERS, James

Pioneer Life and Work in New Guinea 1877-1894. London, The Religious Tract Society, 1895. In-8 (202 x 140 mm) with a frontispiece portrait, 255 pp. Blue illustrated percale, smooth spine (publisher's binding). First edition of this work by the Scottish-born missionary (1841 - 1901) who explored, pioneered and taught extensively in Rarotonga and New Guinea, a place almost totally unknown at the time. He was quickly accepted by the local population and adopted the name Tamate. Chalmers describes trips to the interior of the country, with notes on cannibalism and local religious beliefs. The illustration includes a portrait of the author, a map, and 42 figures in the text with characters, views, places of worship etc. Library copy with stamp on the flyleaf and an ex-dono (not autograph) dated 1895. Minor wear and stains to the binding.