The library of his excellency Sir. George Grey, K.C.B. Philology.

This catalogue details the philological collections of the Sir George Grey Collection at the South African Public Library and was compiled by Wilhelm Bleek . Volume 1 part 1 of this catalogue details publications or manuscripts of, or relating to, the 16 languages spoken in South Africa. Sales, and distribution were handled by Nicholas Trübner in London and F. A. Brockhaus in Leipzig. It was printed by Saul Solomon, Cape Town. Bleek’s comparative philological project was deeply imbricated with contemporary anthropology and became highly influential in shaping European taxonomies of indigenous peoples (Gilmour: 2006, 188). Throughout the Sir. George Grey philological catalogues, Bleek’s extensive ethnographic and philological notes on all the languages represented by the publications in the Sir. George Grey collection evinces this schematic, racial thinking.

The catalogue begins with a tabulated list of all the South African language groups represented in the collection. In total 505 works are listed: 427 publications and 78 manuscripts. This is followed by a short list of addenda and 10 pages of philological notes outlining Bleek’s linguistic typology. Next follow notes specifically relating to the ‘hottentot’, ‘kora’, and ‘nama’ languages including a tabulated list of the orthographic conventions used to represent Kohekohe ‘clicks’. The works in these languages are listed by subject and are divided into grammars; vocabularies; elementary books; catechisms; hymn books; scripture extracts; and gospels. Here, as throughout the catalogues, books are listed by title (transliterated in the indigenous language and translated into English); place of publication; place of printing; compiler; printer; year; format; and number of pages. Bleek often offers additional critical notes on the quality and provenience of works listed, including number of copies printed and prices where known. The ‘bushman’ languages are given their own section, reflecting Bleek’s ongoing interest in San folklore and mythology. Books in the ‘bushman’ section are all vocabularies apart from one book of copies of San rock art compiled by Major Michell.

Section b of the catalogue lists works in ‘prefix-pronominal’ or ‘Bantu’ African languages. This family is sub-divided by geographical region into south-eastern branch, north-eastern branch, and south-western branch. Bleek includes 5 pages of philological notes on these languages. Following this is a list of publications in isiXhosa, the best represented of the African languages in terms of quantity of publications. It is divided into the following subjects: grammars; vocabularies; elementary books; catechisms; hymn books; prayer books; scripture history; scripture extracts; new testaments; old testaments; tracts; history; proclamations; English language works on Xhosa laws and customs; isiXhosa missionary proclamations; and isiXhosa periodicals. isiZulu is the next language listed, divided into the same subjects with the addition of ‘native literature’ and ‘native statistics’. At the end of the isiZulu section, a handful of siSwati catechisms and scripture extracts are listed.

The next substantial section is the Sotho-Tswana section, subdivided into Sesotho and Setswana. The Setswana section is sub-divided into Rolong and Hlapi dialects. Subjects represented here are grammars; elementary books; catechisms; hymn books; scripture and church history; old testament; missionary proclamations; and periodicals. This is followed by the ‘tengeza’ dialects. These are divided by geographical region into southern and northern dialects, and include the Tonga and Otjiherero languages. Subjects represented here are grammars; dictionaries; elementary books; hymns; and scripture history. The catalogue ends with a list of addenda.

Volume 1 part 2 consists of 377 works published in or about African languages found north of the Tropic of Capricorn. The catalogue was printed in Cape Town by G. J. Pike in 1858. Languages represented in this catalogue include Bunda, Joannese, Kongo, Mpungwe, Kele, Benaga, Duala, Su, Bebe (Fernando Po), Efik, Bonny, Yoruba, Akan, Fante, Ashante, Akwapem, Bullom, Sherbro, Temne, Basara, Kuru, Grebo, Ga, Wolof, Fula, Vei, Susu, Mandingo, Bronu, Haussa, Gaha, Danggali, Somali, Arabic, Kaafi, and Massai. Generally, entries in this catalogue lack the depth of descriptive detail found in the South African collection. The name and location of the missionary institution responsible for publishing the books in various languages is also given. This section of the catalogue ends with a list of addenda to part one of the catalogue.

Volume 1 part 3 covers the languages of Madagascar and was compiled by Bleek in collaboration with the Rev. James Cameron, a missionary with the London Missionary Society. It was printed in Cape Town by Saul Solomon in 1859 . There are 63 items in the various dialects of the Malagasy language listed and they are divided into the following subjects: grammars; dictionaries; spelling books; catechisms; hymn books; prayer books; scripture extracts; new testaments; old testaments; tracts; sermons; arithmetic; natural philosophy; music; missionary history and statistics; and letters and fables.

Volume 2 part 1 consists of 87 books (55 manuscripts and 32 publications) in 20 languages and dialects of Australia and Tasmania. The catalogue was printed by G. J. Pike, Cape Town in 1858. The Australian languages are sub-divided and classified by region, and the catalogue begins with a table listing the regional linguistic divisions as Southern Australia, Middle Australia, Adelaide, Murray River, Encounter Bay, Victoria, Eastern Australia (sub-divided into costal and inland dialects); Northern Australia and Tasmania. The books of each linguistic region are organised into the following subjects: geographical extent; ethnology; grammars; vocabularies; ‘native literature’; elementary books; and scriptural extracts. Notes on print runs, notable features of the book, and prices are given where known.

Volume 2, part 2 covers the ‘Papuan’ languages and consists of 21 items in the Nengone, Drehu, Aneityum and Tana languages of the South Pacific. These are divided into the following subjects: missionary reports; grammars; vocabularies; elementary books; new testaments; catechisms; hymn books; and scripture extracts. The catalogue was printed by G. J. Pike, Cape Town in 1858. Volume 2, part 3 was compiled by George Grey and Wilhelm Bleek, and printed by Saul Solomon, Cape Town, in 1859. It begins with a list of addenda to the Australian section of the catalogue and a supplement to the ‘Papuan’ section. There follows 66 items representing the dialectical varieties of Fiji and its surrounding islands. These are divided into ethnology; grammars; dictionaries; elementary books; catechisms; hymn books; prayer books; new testaments; old testaments; and tracts. The catalogue ends with a elementary book and a catechism in the Rotuman language.

Volume 2, part 4 covers the languages of New Zealand and was compiled by Sir. George Grey and Wilhelm Bleek. It consists of 166 items in or about the Te Reo language. These are divided into dictionaries; vocabularies; phraseologies; elementary books; spelling books; catechisms; hymn books; prayer books; scripture history; scripture extracts; new testaments; old testaments; tracts; sermons; ‘native literature’; books of history and travels; geography; books of instruction; periodicals; proclamations and addresses; and manuscripts (including letters from Maori chiefs, traditional poems and lamentations, and religious services written by indigenous preachers).

Volume 2, part 4 (continuation) covers the languages of Polynesia and Borneo. It was printed by Saul Solomon, Cape Town, in 1859. It begins with 4 works in the Polynesian language on ethnology, grammar, and a dictionary. Next are 28 works in the Rarotongan language, all sent by missionaries from the London Missionary Society. These include grammars; spelling books; catechisms; hymn books; scripture and church history; new testament; old testament; commentaries on the scriptures; tracts; books of travel and geography; arithmetic; missionary reports; and periodicals. There are 26 works in the Tongan language. These are works of ethnology; grammars; vocabularies; elementary books; catechisms; hymn books; prayer books; new testaments; old testaments; tracts; missionary proclamations; periodicals; books of geography; letters; and native literature.

The largest section of the Polynesian section of the catalogue is the Samoan language section. This consists of 58 works mostly supplied by the London Missionary Society. Subjects listed are ethnology; elementary books; catechisms; hymn books; scripture histories; scripture extracts; new testament; old testament; tracts; astronomy; arithmetic; periodicals (Samoan and English language); almanac; and manuscripts. After the Samoan section comes the second largest language section, the Tahitian language. There are 57 works listed here, all published by the London Missionary Society. These are divided into grammars; dictionaries; elementary books; catechisms; hymn books; new testaments; old testaments; concordances; commentaries; tracts; geography; arithmetic; law; reports; and periodicals. There are 5 works in the Marquesan language listed followed by 25 in the Hawaiian language. These are divided into grammars; vocabularies; phrase books; elementary books; catechisms; new testaments; tracts; geography; arithmetic; proclamations; parliamentary papers; and periodicals. Finally, there are 8 works listed in the Dayak language: grammar; elementary books; a new testament and an old testament. The catalogue ends with one addenda.

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