[Vathek.] An Arabian Tale, from an Unpublished Manuscript: with Notes Critical and Explanatory.

BECKFORD, William.

Published by London: for J. Johnson, 1786

About this Item

First edition in any language, unrestored in the original boards, rare thus. This classic work of British Gothic fiction greatly influenced the Romantic poets. Byron described himself as its "strenuous and public admirer" and reveals this influence in his own "Turkish Tales". "European literature has no Oriental fiction which impresses the imagination so powerfully and permanently as 'Vathek'" (DNB). Beckford composed his manuscript in French in 1782. This English translation, executed by Samuel Henley, was published in June 1786 before the publication of the French text, despite the author's instructions that "I would not on any account have him precede the French edition" (Chapman & Hodkgin, p. 20). Though angered by Henley's move, Beckford still appreciated his expertise as an orientalist and retained his extensive notes in later editions. The first French edition was published in Lausanne the following December, but post-dated 1787. As the original manuscript was by that time lost, the Lausanne edition was in fact a hurried translation of the English. Beckford then corrected the Lausanne text, smoothing over Henley's lingering anglicisms, for the Paris edition of December 1787. Bleiler, Supernatural Fiction 119; Chapman & Hodkgin 3Ai; ESTC T62055; Rothschild 354; Summers, Gothic Bibliography, p. 543. Octavo, pp. viii, 334. Engraved illustrations of fans on p. 316. Uncut in publisher's brown quarter boards, spine mostly perished, chords exposed, remnant of original paper spine label on rear cover, blue board sides. Housed in a custom dark green quarter morocco folding box. Edges worn, fragile joints just holding, covers a little marked, small tear to upper outer corner of front free endpaper, contents bright. A good copy.

Seller Inventory # 180681

Bibliographic Details

• Title: [Vathek.] An Arabian Tale, from an Unpublished Manuscript: with Notes Critical and Explanatory.
• Publisher: London: for J. Johnson, 1786
• Edition: 1st Edition