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12 ARABIAN NIGHTS – SCOTT, Jonathan (ed.) The Arabian Nights Entertainments. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown, 1811 The first “literary” Arabian Nights in English A very attractive set of the first edition of this important version, “the first literary translation of the Arabian Nights , providing a critical introduction and copious annotation of the Muslim religion and customs” ( ODNB ). Two editions were put out by this publisher in 1811, Lowndes noting this more desirable larger format “post octavo, with plates by Smirke”, and another, a smaller unillustrated “demy octavo”. The editor was the English orientalist Jonathan Scott (1753– 1829), who served in the army of the East India Company and was, for two years from 1783, Warren Hastings’s private Persian secretary. Scott made a substantial revision of Antoine Galland’s translation of 1704–17, the first in a Western language, and worked directly from the manuscript in the possession of Edward Wortley Montagu for the new stories that fill up volume VI. In his useful companion to the Arabian Nights , Robert Irwin comments that Scott’s translation “was subsequently widely used as a basis for bowdlerized and popularized editions in English for children”. 6 volumes, octavo (183 × 110 mm). Contemporary calf, flat spines divided by brown bands, dark green twin labels, compartments decorated with a foliate lozenge and scrolling cornerpieces, sides with border of concentric gilt single fillet and trefoil roll tool, gilt milled roll at edge corners, red speckled edges. Engraved frontispiece to each volume by Fittler, Warren, Raimbach (2), Smith, and Golding after paintings by Robert Smirke. From the library of the Bulkeley-Owen family of Tedsmore Hall, Shropshire; each volume with engraved armorial bookplate printed on pale blue paper. Head of spine on vol. III chipped, spines just a little rubbed, a few joints cracked but firm, touch of foxing to frontispieces. A very good set, handsomely bound. ¶ Lowndes I, p. 59. Robert Irwin, The Arabian Nights: A Companion , 2005. £2,500 [156939]
first us guide to navigating the gulf First editions, first printings, of the American pilot guide to the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, including the 1929 supplement and a summary of further revisions for 1930. This highly detailed guide is based upon the British series continually published since 1870 and is scarce, with only a handful of copies held institutionally outside the US. Hydrographic pilots are sailing instructions to mariners describing the characteristics of waterways and harbours. They are often supplemented with updated charts, lighthouse lists, information about prevailing meteorological conditions, harbour regulations, and other information pertinent to seafaring. This guide and attendant supplements, also similarly scarce, includes detailed information for navigating the coasts of all of the seven emirates of modern-day UAE. Sharjah is described as “the most important town” on the Trucial Coast, with a population of 8,000 to 10,000, chiefly of the Al Qawasim. Details for anchorage, landing, and provisioning are given, as well as a description of the town itself, which has “a large proportion of stone houses”, the flag of the Al Qawasim prominently flown, and the sheikh’s house being “a large white two-storied building”. Further topographical descriptions are given, including of Sharjah’s creek, and there is a hint at Sharjah’s ongoing prosperity, with its port sending 350 boats to the pearl fishery and “very fine boats, bakaras and batils built [there]”. The first chapter also includes some interesting commentary on culture in the region, reflective of the biases of the time. Mariners are advised not to land ashore unarmed for fear of Bedouin, a brief section comments on “piracy” in the Gulf, and captains are recommended to offer gifts to local rulers. 3 volumes, octavo. Pilot : original brown buckram, spine and front board lettered and blocked in gilt; Supplement : original wrappers lettered in black; Summary : 3 unbound leaves stapled together. Folding map of the Gulf. Covers of bound volume with a few old stains and some silverfishing, mild uniform interior toning, the other two with oxidized toning and predation to outer edges, minor creasing, a few short closed tears, still a very good set. £3,250 [157978]
All items are fully described and photographed at peterharrington.co.uk
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