Bidspirit auction | [BURTON'S ARABIAN NIGHTS] Burton, Richard

[BURTON'S ARABIAN NIGHTS] Burton, Richard F. - THE BOOK OF THE THOUSAND NIGHTS AND A NIGHT. 12 vols. ”Library Edition”. + Letchford, Albert - SEVENTY ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATIONS. London. H. S. Nichols. 1894-1897. 25 cm x 16 cm. Bd. - First edition containing the complete text of what is regarded as one of the greatest feats of translation in the history of the English language, and likewise one of the most fascinating. Sir Richard Francis Burton (1821–1890) took upwards of twenty-five years to complete it, yet the at times markedly erotic nature of the texts led to the first edition—issued by Lady Burton some years earlier (Benares [Varanasi], Kamashastra Society, 1885)—being heavily expurgated. Most of those passages are here restored. This edition therefore reproduces the title pages of the earlier issue. This superb set also includes the exceedingly rare 1897 volume containing the illustrations reproducing the celebrated oil paintings by Albert Letchford (1866–1905), which became indelibly fixed in the British imagination. Generally in good condition. Beautiful publisher’s “Library Edition” bindings in cloth, richly decorated with Orientalist motifs and arabesques on the boards and spine; minor shelf wear to the foot of the latter. Small mark at the foot of the upper board of vol. I. Interior with occasional and faint foxing. Penzer, pp. 117–123. Note: large-format volume. An additional shipping charge of €30 (thirty euros, VAT exempt) applies within Portugal. Rates for the European Union and outside the Schengen Area available upon request.