THE BOOK OF THE THOUSAND NIGHTS AND A NIGHT. Translated from the Arabic by Captain Sir R.F. Burton. Reprinted from the original edition and edited by Leonard C. Smithers. Illustrated by a Series of Seventy-one Original Illustrations Reproduced From the Original Pictures in Oils Specially Painted by Albert Letchford
(London: H.S Nichols & Co., 1897).
THIS IS A VERY RARE PUBLISHER S THREE-QUARTER BLACK MOROCCO BINDING. Penzer makes no mention of this binding in his bibliography, nor have we ever seen one before.
This edition conforms to the "Illustrated Library Edition" that Penzer describes. It was actually produced for the Grolier Society, though their name does not appear anywhere. It includes, as the title-page states, the seventy-one illustrations by Letchford, and was issued in four binding styles known to Penzer. But this binding style was not known and consequently was not mentioned.
Interestingly enough, the illustrations to "The Arabian Nights" were bound in and issued with the text for the first time by Nichols as here. Penzer describes those illustrations being first inserted within the "Library Edition," that English printing, modeled after the Benares Edition and to which he thus ascribes the name "Illustrated Library Edition." One conjectures that only a very small number, perhaps 5 or less of these beautifully bound and decorated sets might have been issued. Item #11203
12 Volumes. This is a VERY RARE copy in three-quarter black morocco. (For a discussion of the "Illustrated Library Edition" according to Penzer's designation (see p. 117-122 of the bibliography.) No copy was known to Penzer. With the 71 illustrations by Albert Letchford, including a portrait of Burton. Also issued with reproductions of the title-pages from the original Benares Kamashastra edition. Large 8vo, original three-quarter black morocco with dark blue boards. Gilt lettered spine between raised bands. the words Kamashastra Edition appear on the spine Handsome and original blue marbled endpapers. A fine, beautiful set.