Two original late-19th-century scholarly volumes on Abyssinia (Ethiopia), offered together as a matched academic pair in contemporary half-leather library bindings.

These volumes represent the two foundational pillars of European scholarship on Ethiopia at the end of the 19th century: law and language.

Although not issued as a formal set, the matching bindings and complementary subject matter strongly suggest they originated together in an academic or institutional library collection.

Both works were produced under official institutional or government sponsorship and were intended for scholars, jurists, diplomats, and administrators working in the Horn of Africa.

Manuel Pratique de Langue Abyssine (Amharique)

By C. Mondon-Vidailhet

Paris, Imprimerie Nationale, 1891

Official French government-authorized practical manual of the Amharic language, prepared for explorers, merchants, and administrators operating in Abyssinia. Includes grammar, vocabulary, numerals, and practical usage.

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Il “Fetha Nagast” (Legislazione dei Re)

Codice ecclesiastico e civile di Abissinia

Translated and annotated by Ignazio Guidi

Pubblicazioni Scientifiche del R. Istituto Orientale in Napoli, Tomo III

Rome, Casa Editrice Italiana, 1899

Scholarly Italian translation and commentary of the traditional Ethiopian legal code, covering ecclesiastical and civil law, judicial procedure, and administration. A major reference work in Ethiopian legal history and Oriental studies.

Bindings & Provenance

Both volumes are bound in contemporary half-leather with marbled boards and gilt-lettered spines. Both volumes sourced from vast, personal library of USMC Colonel. Attractive hand-marbled endpapers present.

Condition

Both volumes are pre-owned, excellent condition for age, with the following notes:

– Sound bindings with hinges holding firmly

– Typical surface wear and rubbing to leather spines

– Edge wear and corner rubbing to boards

– Interior pages clean overall with light age toning

– No loose or missing pages observed

Overall a well-preserved scholarly pair from the late 19th century.

This curated pairing unites two complementary disciplines—Ethiopian law and Amharic language—from the same era, in matched bindings. Such combinations are uncommon and especially attractive to collectors of African history, Oriental studies, legal history, linguistics, and institutional collections.

Carefully packed and shipped.