A PLAIN AND LITERAL TRANSLATION OF THE ARABIAN NIGHTS' ENTERTAINMENTS, NOW ENTITLUED [sic] THE BOOK OF THE THOUSAND NIGHTS AND A NIGHT. With Introduction, Explanatory Notes on the Manners and Customs of Moslem Men and a Terminal Essay Upon the History of The Nights [with] SUPPLEMENTAL NIGHTS. With Notes Anthropological and Explanatory

Burton Richard F., [translator]

Published by London H.S. Nichols, Ltd. 1897

About this Item

12 volumes. First edition earliest state of the illustrations, First Issue of the First Illustrated Library Edition, First Edition thus. This, a very rare proof copy of the work in a very rare binding state and with all plates marked Remarque Proof and printed on Japon vellum. 71 original illustrations, including a portrait of Burton, reproduced from the original pictures in oils specially painted by Albert Letchford. This copy a proof copy with all plates in proof state and printed on Japon Vellum. Also included are all of the original prelims to the Letchford plates publication noting the severe limitation of copies of the plates printed on Japon Vellum. 8vo, three-quarter gilt-bordered dark green morocco over green pebbled boards, the spine in compartments separated by gilt-ruled raised bands, lettered in gilt on two labels (one brown, one green), t.e.g., marbled endpapers (Penzer Style B). A very handsome set, very well preserved. A scarce and handsome edition, the first to include the illustrations by Letchford. In 1896, two years after their first edition of ARABIAN NIGHTS, the Nichols-Smithers duo commissioned Sir Richard Burton's close friend, Albert Letchford, to paint 65 illustrations for another edition as well as a portrait of Burton, and soon after commissioned for 5 more. Burton and Letchford had met several years before when Letchford was 18 when he was in Florence beginning his art education and had discussed the possibility of illustrating "Nights." "Burton's suggestion of illustrating the "Nights" had appealed greatly to Letchford on account of the unlimited scope such a subject would give to an artist who loved the East and had a boundless imagination." Letchford commenced study of Eastern images for his paintings, though only one of the illustrations was painted in Burton's lifetime. Seller Inventory # 15999

Bibliographic Details

Title: A PLAIN AND LITERAL TRANSLATION OF THE ...

Publisher: London H.S. Nichols, Ltd. 1897

Binding: Soft cover

Edition: 1st Edition