KOHLMEISTER, Benjamin Gottlieb, Rev. (1785-1874), KMOCH, George, Rev. (d.1857), LATROBE, Christian Ignatius (1758-1836, Editor)

Journal of a Voyage from Okkak, on the Coast of Labrador, to Ungava Bay, Westward of Cape Chudleigh; Undertaken to Explore the Coast, and Visit the Esquimaux in that Unknown Region

London: Printed by W. M'Dowall, Pemberton Row, Gough Square, Fleet Street, for the Brethren's Society for the Furtherance of the Gospel Among the Heathen. And sold by J. Le Febvre, 2, Chapel-Place, Nevils Court, Fetter-Lane; L. B. Seeley, 169, Fleet-Street, 1814. 8vo. (8 3/8 x 5 inches). First edition. 89 pp. Title, Introduction, Chapters I-XIII, Folding Map at Rear, "The Northern Extremity of Labrador with Ungava Bay Explored by the Missionaires of the Unitas Fratrum in 1811." Woodcut illustration printed in black on p.58.

Contemporary half calf over marbled boards, spine ruled gilt, morocco lettering piece

First edition of a rare work of Arctic exploration, a compelling historical account of an early voyage into the Canadian Arctic.

Many Inuit from the far north of Labrador had been in the habit of visiting the Moravian settlements at Okkak, Nain, and Hopedale. This journey was undertaken to try and trace their settlements. Kohlmeister and Kmoch, two Moravians from the mission at Nain, sailed with four Inuit families from Okkak as far west as the present site of Fort Chimo on the Koksoak River. The two missionaries produced a useful map, present in this copy, of the coastal region of northern Labrador and western Ungava Bay. The authors record their impressions of the landscape, Inuit manners and customs, weather, ice conditions, fauna, and flora. They also document their struggles with harsh natural conditions and their efforts to bring Christianity to these remote lands. The publication of Kohlmeister and Kmoch's journal influenced the Hudsons Bay Company to extend their operations to Ungava Bay; the site of Fort Chimo was selected in 1828 and the fort was built in 1830. [Holland] Kohlmeister, was a Warsaw-born Moravian missionary who was the son of a baker. He apprenticed as a cabinetmaker before wandering into the Moravian mission in Dresden. In 1790 he was sent to Labrador where he served a 12-year residence at the Moravians' Northwest-most station in Okkak. He there learned the Inuktitut language through his engagement in the community. He acted as a teacher, trader, and doctor, as well as a religious force. "Kohlmeister had received little formal education, but he was a good linguist who had quickly mastered the language." [Fleming] He produced a translation of the Gospels in the local tongue, though he is uncredited for it in the text. "In 1818 he became general superintendent of missions, of which there were three: Nain, Okkak, and Hopedale." [Fleming]

Arctic Bibliography 8996. Fleming, History of the Book in Canada, p.285. Francis Edwards American Catalogue, 1904-6, 720. Holland, Arctic Exploration and Development, p. 176. Lande S1178-79. Morgan, Bibliotheca Canadensis, p.214. OCLC 7493665. ODNB. Rich, Bibliotheca Americana Nova II, p.70. Sabin 38225. Tanner 530. Stanton and Tremaine 877.

Item #41974

Price: $8,500.00