THE KASÎDAH (COUPLETS) OF HÂJÎ ABDÛ EL-YEZDÎ: A LAY OF THE HIGHER LAW
by [BURTON, SIR RICHARD FRANCIS]
- Used
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
McMinnville, Oregon, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
London: Privately Printed [Bernard Quaritch], 1880. FIRST EDITION, First Issue. 270 x 205 mm. (10 5/8 x 8 1/8"). 2 p.l., 33 pp.Translated and Annotated by his Friend and Pupil, F. B.
ORIGINAL PRINTED YELLOW WRAPPERS, veryexpertly rebacked. In a (slightly worn) plush-lined navy blue Roan-backed buckram clamshell box, gilt lettering on back. Penzer, pp. 97-98. ◆Wrappers just lightly soiled, gutter open at quire E, but a really excellent copy, the volume entirely firm, and text clean and fresh.
This is a very desirable copy in the original fragile wrappers of the uncommon first issue of the work DNB considers "by far [Burton's] most notable poetic effort." Explorer and author Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton (1821-90) is primarily known for his riveting accounts of travel--often in regions never before visited by a European--and for his masterful translations of Eastern classics, most notably "The Arabian Nights." A remarkable linguist, he was fluent in more than 40 languages and dialects. Although this work purports to be another translation, it is in fact Burton's original work. The verses draw on Sufi thought and are written in the couplet style of Sufi poetry. "Unlike most of Burton's compositions, which were hastily written and carelessly (if at all) edited," DNB tells us, "this is a polished work that contains many fascinating autobiographical insights." Our first issue is said to have been printed in a very small quantity by Bernard Quaritch for distribution to Burton's friends. Quaritch printed a second issue as well (distinguishable by the firm's name on the title page), but because, as DNB observes, "it was perceived as an echo of Edward Fitzgerald's Rubáiyát," the title did not sell well. Penzer believes "the entire first edition did not in all probability consist of more than 200 copies, and Messrs. Quaritch state that under a hundred were sold.".
ORIGINAL PRINTED YELLOW WRAPPERS, veryexpertly rebacked. In a (slightly worn) plush-lined navy blue Roan-backed buckram clamshell box, gilt lettering on back. Penzer, pp. 97-98. ◆Wrappers just lightly soiled, gutter open at quire E, but a really excellent copy, the volume entirely firm, and text clean and fresh.
This is a very desirable copy in the original fragile wrappers of the uncommon first issue of the work DNB considers "by far [Burton's] most notable poetic effort." Explorer and author Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton (1821-90) is primarily known for his riveting accounts of travel--often in regions never before visited by a European--and for his masterful translations of Eastern classics, most notably "The Arabian Nights." A remarkable linguist, he was fluent in more than 40 languages and dialects. Although this work purports to be another translation, it is in fact Burton's original work. The verses draw on Sufi thought and are written in the couplet style of Sufi poetry. "Unlike most of Burton's compositions, which were hastily written and carelessly (if at all) edited," DNB tells us, "this is a polished work that contains many fascinating autobiographical insights." Our first issue is said to have been printed in a very small quantity by Bernard Quaritch for distribution to Burton's friends. Quaritch printed a second issue as well (distinguishable by the firm's name on the title page), but because, as DNB observes, "it was perceived as an echo of Edward Fitzgerald's Rubáiyát," the title did not sell well. Penzer believes "the entire first edition did not in all probability consist of more than 200 copies, and Messrs. Quaritch state that under a hundred were sold.".
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Details
- Bookseller
- Phillip J. Pirages Fine Books and Medieval Manuscripts (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- ST17640h
- Title
- THE KASÎDAH (COUPLETS) OF HÂJÎ ABDÛ EL-YEZDÎ: A LAY OF THE HIGHER LAW
- Author
- [BURTON, SIR RICHARD FRANCIS]
- Book Condition
- Used
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- FIRST EDITION, First Issue
- Publisher
- Privately Printed [Bernard Quaritch]
- Place of Publication
- London
- Date Published
- 1880
- Keywords
- Orietnalism
Terms of Sale
Phillip J. Pirages Fine Books and Medieval Manuscripts
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About the Seller
Phillip J. Pirages Fine Books and Medieval Manuscripts
Biblio member since 2006
McMinnville, Oregon
About Phillip J. Pirages Fine Books and Medieval Manuscripts
Phillip J. Pirages Fine Books an Manuscripts was established in 1978 on a ping pong table in a basement in Kalamazoo, Michigan. From the beginning, its founder was willing to sell a range of material, but over the years, the business has gravitated toward historical artifacts that are physically attractive in some way--illuminated material, fine bindings, books printed on vellum, fore-edge paintings, beautiful typography and paper, impressive illustration. Today, the company still sells a wide range of things, from (scruffy) ninth century leaves to biblical material from all periods to Wing and STC imprints to modern private press books to artists' bindings. While we are forgiving about condition when something is of considerable rarity, we always try to obtain the most attractive copies possible of whatever we offer for sale.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Gutter
- The inside margin of a book, connecting the pages to the joints near the binding.
- Soiled
- Generally refers to minor discoloration or staining.
- Clamshell Box
- A protective box designed for storing and preserving a bound book or loose sheets. A clamshell box is hinged on one side, with...
- Wrappers
- The paper covering on the outside of a paperback. Also see the entry for pictorial wraps, color illustrated coverings for...
- Rebacked
- having had the material covering the spine replaced. ...
- Buckram
- A plain weave fabric normally made from cotton or linen which is stiffened with starch or other chemicals to cover the book...
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- Gilt
- The decorative application of gold or gold coloring to a portion of a book on the spine, edges of the text block, or an inlay in...