Persian Stories from the Arabian Nights Three Volumes

[The Allen Press] Burton, Sir Richard Francis, English translation; Dr. Francis Carmody, introduction; Michèle Forgeois, pen and ink drawings

Published by The Allen Press, Greenbrae CA, 1980

Softcover. One of 140 copies. This is a particularly lovely book from The Allen Press that pays splendid tribute to the great English translations by Sir Richard Francis Burton of these tales that were a distinct section of the 'One Thousand and One Nights. ' The Allen Press was a private press founded in 1939 by Lewis and Dorothy Allen and based in the San Francisco Bay area. By 1980 they had completed 46 fine letterpress books. This was the forty-fifth limited edition of the great exotic classic of world literature. They describe the book in their prospectus as the most colorful and elegant edition that they have produced. They continue to say that "these Persian stories give a fantastic picture of a society outside Christian and western tradition. The Moslem [sic] does not regard his tale completed when the hero marries the heroine; he ushers you with a flourish into the bridal chamber and narrates with gusto everything he sees and hears. This is especially true of this unexpurgated translation by Sir Richard F. Burton." The green bindings for the three volumes are in the tradition of the French édition deluxe. The sheets are unsewn and sections gathered in three folders of green all-rag Canson & Montgolfier cover paper from France. Printed on hand-made all rag paper made exclusively for The Allen Press. The text typeface is Arrighi, based on a Renaissance cursive, selected to harmonize with the Persian calligraphy. The printing uses Persian colors of gold, deep blue, orange and green. The text of two columns to a page is in blue, with the columns divided by Arabic script in green from the Koran. The titles of the stories are printed in orange. There are seven full-column blue pen and ink drawings in Islamic style done by noted artist Michèle Forgeois. There are also twelve Persian calligraphic symbols and figures stamped in 23 carat gold leaf. Housed in a clamshell box covered with a silk-like blue fabric imported from France. Accompanied by two copies of the prospectus. This is a lavish production from this influential press. In fine condition save for light dampstains to bottom of the covers of the clamshell box. Measures 9 x 13 inches. Unpaginated. PRI/031824. Seller Inventory # 37191

Bibliographic Details

Title: Persian Stories from the Arabian Nights ...
Publisher: The Allen Press, Greenbrae CA
Publication Date: 1980
Binding: Softcover
Condition: Fine