1882-84 The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night [With] Tales From The Arabic: Of the Breslau and Calcutta (1814-18) Editions of the Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night Not Occuring in the Other Printed Texts of the Work
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Description
First Edition, Limited Edition, Publishers' Original Binding, Scarce
The first Villon society edition of this work. Privately printed for subscribers and for private circulation.
Limited edition, the nine volume set is numbered 222 of 500 copies printed. The 'Tales from the Arabic' does not have a limitation statement.
Complete in nine volumes. With the Villon society's subsequently printed three volume set 'Tales from the Arabic' which is uniform with this work. They also issued a single volume edition of 'Aladdin' which is not present. The 'Book of the Thousand Nights' is also known as 'One Thousand and One Nights' or 'Arabian Nights'. It is a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales compiled in Arabic during the Islamic Golden Age.
This edition of the 'Thousand Nights' and 'Tales from the Arabic' have been translated into English by John Payne. This Villon society edition was the first unexpurgated and unabridged translation into English. Payne's translation has been regarded as erudite.
From the library of William Morris at Kelmscott House, with the book label to the front pastedown of all nine 'Thousand Nights' volumes.
With the bookplate of Henry Andrade Harben to the front pastedown of all volumes of 'Thousand Nights'. Harben was a barrister and London historian. His 'A Dictionary of London' was published posthumously to great acclaim.
Condition
In the publisher's original paper vellum bindings. Externally, generally smart. The binding has faded, as is common with this type of binding, and several marks are visible to boards. Loss to the head of spine to volume V of 'Thousand Nights'. Head of spine to volume VII of 'Thousand nights' is lifting at the head of rear joint. Patches of rubbing to the spines, and bumping to the head and tail of spines. Small mark to the front board of volume VII. Small spill-burn to the spine of volume II of 'Tales' just below the volume number. Bookplates to the front pastedown of all volumes, 'William Morris' and 'Henry Andrade Harben'. Internally, firmly bound. With the preface leaves to volume I unevenly cropped as issued. Closed tear to the front endpaper of volume V. Pages are bright.
Very Good
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