Available Copies from Independent Booksellers
Price: US$939.16 + shipping
Description: 426 Seiten 23 x 14,5 Zufriedenstellend. Fast ungelesen. Einband an den Kanten berieben. Eine Tafel in der Bindung etwas gelockert. Kleiner Bibliotheksstempel auf der letzten Seite. Reste einer aufgeklebten Signatur auf dem Rücken. First edition. 900 Gramm Sprache: Englisch.
Seller: Joachim Stosch Versandantiquariat, Hamburg, Germany
Price: US$3000.00 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: 388 pages. This is Volume I only of the original 3 volume set in blue cloth. Two color plates. Fold out map of Burton's travels. Blue covers with spine darkened; edges of spine worn; corners bumped and worn; top and bottom of spine worn; first signature loose; front amd rear hinges cracked; text block is tight. Good plus. (125)
Seller: Colorado Pioneer Books, Centennial, CO, U.S.A.
Price: US$3864.79 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: Three volumes complete - Volume One - [7], viii-xiv, [3], 2-388pp; Volume Two - [5]-iv, [1]-426pp and Volume Three - [9]-x, [3], 2-448pp. Half calf and marbled paper over boards, later rebacked, raised bands, spine in six panels, title label to second panel, author/volume panel to third, 'Signet Library' lettered in gilt to first panel, remaining panels with central floral spray, covers with gilt device of the 'Society of Writers to the Signet' to centre, card endpapers. Rubbed to extremities, map to volume one a little grubby and creased, otherwise internally fairly bright and clean. With a frontispiece, folding map and two plates to the first volume; a frontispiece, two plans (one folding) and three plates to volume two and a half-title, frontispiece, folding plan and six plates to the third volume as called for, bound without the adverts. Penzer, pages 49-50; Ibrahim-Hilmy I:111 and Abbey 368 Size: 8vo
Seller: Temple Rare Books, Oxford, United Kingdom
Price: US$5153.05 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: First edition, 1855, complete, 18 plates, including maps, plans, coloured & tinted lithographs. Three octavo volumes, in modern half red morocco over red marbled boards, some blind tooling. Spines, raised bands, gilt tooling, gilt titles to green morocco labels. Internally; Vol 1, frontis, [7], (viii-xiv), [1] errata, [1], [1], 2-388 pp, 1 map (folding), 3 pls (2 coloured). Vol 2, frontis, [2], [3], (iv) only, [1], 2-426 pp, 4 pl (3 tinted), 1 map (folding), & 1 plan. Vol 3, half title, frontis, [9], (x) only, [1], [1], [1], 2-448 pp, 8 pls (2 coloured), including 1 folding plan, Bound without the adverts, brown endpapers, some evidence of removed bookplates, all the seven of the lithographs in Volumes 1 & 2 have library stamps to verso (Bradford Library). (214*131). (Abbey Travel, 368; Penzer, pp. 43-50; Casada 53; Ghani 62). In 1853 Burton traveled in disguise as an Indian Muslim on a pilgrimage to Islam’s two most sacred shrines, Mecca & Medinah. The publication of his account of the journey brought him fame as an adventurer and also as a man of considerable knowledge about Arabs, their customs and way of life. The present work reflects Burtons attraction to the Arabs and his belief that Islam is an equal to Christianity and Judaism.
Seller: Madoc Books (ABA-ILAB), Llandudno, CONWY, United Kingdom
BURTON Richard, F.. Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to El-Medinah and Meccah. 1855-56., 1855.
Price: US$8373.71 + shipping
Description: First edition. 3 volumes, each with a frontispiece in colour, other plates, and a number of maps and plans (some folding). 8vo. Nineteenth century half red morocco over marbled boards, spines gilt, five raised bands. xiv, 388; iv, 426; x, 448pp. London, Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, A handsome copy of what is perhaps the most well-known and admired of Burton?s many travel books. He was the first European to visit Medina for thirty-five years and produced an account of Mecca remarkable for its detail and colour. The author?s original plan as laid before the Royal Geographical Society had been to explore the interior of Arabia. However, this characteristically ambitious project was thwarted by the East India Company?s refusal to allow Burton the three years leave he needed. The year he was given in lieu ?to enable him to pursue his Arabic studies? afforded him the opportunity to travel in disguise initially as a Persian and subsequently as a Pathan to Medina and to Mecca, thereby becoming the first Englishman to enter the Holy City under the guise of a Muslim pilgrim. ?The actual pilgrimage began with a journey on camel-back from Cairo to Suez. Then followed twelve days in a pilgrim ship on the Red Sea from Suez to Yambu, the port of El-Medinah. So far the only risk was from detection by his companions? The journey from Yambu to El-Medinah, thence to Meccah, and finally to the sea again at Jeddah, occupied altogether from 17 July to 23 September, including some days spent in rest, and many more in devotional exercises. From Jeddah Burton returned to Egypt in a British steamer, intending to start afresh for the interior of Arabia via Muwaylah. But this second project was frustrated by ill-health, which kept him in Egypt until his period of furlough was exhausted. The manuscript. was sent home from India, and seen through the press by a friend in England. It is deservedly the most popular of Burton?s books, having passed through four editions. As a story of bold adventure, and as lifting a veil from the unknown, its interest will never fade? (DNB, 1901 edition). Burton's Pilgrimage is also an excellent source of information on earlier European travellers to the Holy Cities. His chapters on Mecca make numerous references to the earlier 19th century writings of Domingo Badia y Lebich and ?the accurate Burckhardt? (Vol III, p.149), while the appendices of the second volume reach even further back to the accounts of Ludovico di Varthema (1503), Joseph Pitts (1680) and Giovanni Finati (1814). Penzer, p.43-50; Macro, 640.
Seller: Maggs Bros. Ltd ABA, ILAB, PBFA, BA, London, United Kingdom
Price: US$9350.00 + shipping
Description: 3 volumes. First Edition. Illustrated with a 13 lithographic plates, 8 of which are tinted and 5 in colour, 4 maps or plans, 3 of which are folding and several illustrations within the text. 8vo, very attractively bound to style many years ago in three-quarter honey-brown polished calf over marbled paper covered boards, the spines with raised bands double gilt ruled, gilt lettered in two of the compartments on contrasting red and green morocco labels, all edges untrimmed. The volumes now housed in a fine slipcase. xv, 338, 24 ads; iv, 426; xii, 448 pp. A very handsome and attractive set, the bindings in fine condition, the text-blocks very well preserved with some mellowing as is typical. A RARE AND VERY ATTRACTIVE SET OF THE FIRST EDITION OF THIS MONUMENTAL AND ICONIC WORK. According to Penzer, and to countless readers since, this is "one of the greatest works of travel ever published." Burton was one of the first westerners to enter the Arab holy cities and to accomplish this he had to assume the character and costume of a Persian Mirza, a wandering Dervish, and a "Pathan." Mrs. Burton said of his feat that " It meant .living for nine months in the hottest and most unhealthy climate, upon repulsive food; it meant complete and absolute isolation from everything that makes life tolerable, from all civilization, from all his natural habits; the brain at high tension, but the mind never wavering from the role he had adopted; but he liked it, he was happy in it, he felt at home in it, and in this book he tells you how he did it, and what he saw." Richard Burton was one of the foremost linguists of his time, an explorer, poet, translator, ethnologist, and archaeologist, among other things. He spent much of his childhood in Italy and France and was educated eclectically. In 1840, he began studies at Trinity College, Oxford and distinguished himself through his eccentric behavior. Two years later, he joined the 18th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry at Baroda, in order to study "Oriental" life and languages. He had already studied some Arabic in London and learned Gujarati, Marathi, Hindustani, Persian and Arabic while in India. He eventually took on a position that allowed him to mix more freely with the indigenous peoples, especially the lower classes, and began to dress like them. Burtons seven years in India allowed him to become familiar with the languages, customs and geography of the East. This preparation paved the way for his famous trip to Mecca. At this time, there were areas of the Middle East that were still unknown to Westerners and thus, represented gray areas on the world map. Rumor and second hand information about the inner workings and holy sites of one of the largest religions in the world was all that was available to European scholars. Burtons decision to go to Mecca was approved by the Royal Geographical Society in order to fill this void. He passed himself off as an Indian Pathan and was required to know the rituals of a pilgrimage as well as the exigencies of manners and etiquette. Discovery of his deception would all but certainly have met with execution, this alone should indicate the importance both Burton and the R.G.S. placed on this mission. His publication of the journey--the Pilgrimage to Al-Medinah and Meccah--allowed European readers to experience new cultures, traditions and history. Burtons writing was accessible to the general reader and provided an intimate and well-documented portrayal of the Middle East. First editions of this book are scarce.
Seller: Buddenbrooks, Inc., Newburyport, MA, U.S.A.
Price: US$9375.00 + shipping
Description: First edition, 8vo, 3 volumes, 3 folding maps, 13 lithograph plates (9 tinted, 5 chromos), plus 1 wood-engraved plate; original blue cloth lettered in gilt on spine, black ornamental borders on covers; spines a bit soiled and spine ends cracked with minor loss, adhesion mark along back gutter of volume II, volume III of slightly varying color; all else very good and sound, unrestored. Laid into vol. I is a 9-line autograph postcard signed by Burton in purple ink, and dated Trieste May 9, 1885, thanking Sir H. G. Glaisher for the order of "2 copies of my work. I am on the point of embarking for England when I shall at once print 5 vols." Abbey, Travel, 368; Penzer, pp. 43-50; Casada 53: "This is the best known of all of Burton's original works."
Seller: Rulon-Miller Books (ABAA / ILAB), St. Paul, MN, U.S.A.
Price: US$9661.97 + shipping
Description: FIRST EDITION. 3 vols. 8vo. (22 x 14 cm). pp. xiv+[ii]+388; title+iv+426; x+[ii]+448. Half title in vol. III only (as called for). Finely bound by Bayntun in half tan calf over matching cloth covered boards, spines richly gilt in compartments, red and black labels, top edges gilt, marbled endpapers. Complete with all 4 maps and plans, 5 colour lithographed plates, and 8 tinted lithograph plates. Ex libris Fredrici Gulielmi Cagle Natu Minor to front pastedown of each volume. A near fine clean set in a handsome binding. One of the most extraordinary travel narratives of the 19th century; it surpassed all preceding Western accounts of the holy cities of Islam, made Burton famous, and became a classic of travel literature, described by T. E. Lawrence as "a most remarkable work of the highest value". A formidable linguist, explorer, and storyteller, Burton spent decades traveling the British Empire. After years in India while stationed with the East India Company, Burton returned to England where he devised an audacious plan to undertake the sacred hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, which was forbidden to non-Muslims. He approached the Royal Geographic Society, presenting the goal of his pilgrimage as the removal of "that opprobrium to modern adventure, the huge w hite blot which in our maps still notes the Eastern and the Central regions of Arabia." With support from the Royal Geographic Society, Burton left for Egypt in 1853. He spent time in Alexandria and Cairo where he perfected his Arabic as well as observing and embracing local customs and mannerisms to lessen the chance that his ruse would be discovered. Joining a caravan whose destination was Medina, Burton participated in the associated rites with the pilgrimage before returning to Egypt where he composed Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to El Medinah and Mecca. His narrative is remarkable both for its detail of an unfamiliar region and culture for nineteenth-century audiences as well as Burton's reflections on his status as an interloper. For example, when he finally reached the Kaaba at the heart of the Great Mosque, Burton offers this confession: "I may truly say that, of all the worshippers who clung weeping to the curtain, or who pressed their beating hearts to the stone, none felt for the moment a deeper emotion than did the Haji from the far north. It was as if the poetical legends of the Arab spoke truth, and that the waving wings of angels, not the sweet breeze of morning, were agitating and swelling the black covering of the shrine. But, to confess humbling truth, theirs was the high feeling of religious enthusiasm, mine was the ecstasy of gratified pride."
Seller: Robert Frew Ltd. ABA ILAB, London, United Kingdom
Price: US$10500.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to El Medinah and Meccah. London: Longman, Brown, Green and Longmans, 1855-1856., First Edition. 3 volumes. 4to. 14 plates, including 5 chromolithographic plates and 8 tinted lithographic plates, one folding engraved map, 3 plans (2 folding), 24 pp publisher's catalogue (dated September 1854) at end of volume I. Publisher's blue cloth stamped in black on covers, gilt lettered on spine, terracotta printed endpapers, binder's ticket of Edmonds & Remnants on rear paste-down of volume III. Rubbed, corners bumped, partially removed library check-out list on front paste-down of volume III, very minor and scattered browning. First Edition of "one of the greatest works of travel ever published" (Penzer). Burton, the first English Christian to enter Mecca (performing the Hajj disguised as a Muslim), was also the first to travel between the Holy Cities of Islam by way of the Eastern route. Abbey Travel 368; Penzer, pp 49-50.
Seller: Timeless Tales Rare Books, Acton, MA, U.S.A.
BURTON Richard, F.. Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to El-Medinah and Meccah. 1855-56., 1855.
Price: US$10950.24 + shipping
Description: First edition. 3 volumes, each with a frontispiece in colour, other plates, and a number of maps and plans (some folding). 8vo. A very good copy in blue publisher's cloth, spines lettered in gilt; spines a little darkened, light wear to extremities, a few tiny tears to joints, one longer tear to rear joint of vol.I, some hinges split but all holding firmly. xiv, 388; iv, 426; x, 448pp. London, Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, A handsome copy of what is perhaps the most well-known and admired of Burton?s many travel books. He was the first European to visit Medina for thirty-five years and produced an account of Mecca remarkable for its detail and colour. The author?s original plan as laid before the Royal Geographical Society had been to explore the interior of Arabia. However, this characteristically ambitious project was thwarted by the East India Company?s refusal to allow Burton the three years leave he needed. The year he was given in lieu ?to enable him to pursue his Arabic studies? afforded him the opportunity to travel in disguise initially as a Persian and subsequently as a Pathan to Medina and to Mecca, thereby becoming the first Englishman to enter the Holy City under the guise of a Muslim pilgrim. ?The actual pilgrimage began with a journey on camel-back from Cairo to Suez. Then followed twelve days in a pilgrim ship on the Red Sea from Suez to Yambu, the port of El-Medinah. So far the only risk was from detection by his companions? The journey from Yambu to El-Medinah, thence to Meccah, and finally to the sea again at Jeddah, occupied altogether from 17 July to 23 September, including some days spent in rest, and many more in devotional exercises. From Jeddah Burton returned to Egypt in a British steamer, intending to start afresh for the interior of Arabia via Muwaylah. But this second project was frustrated by ill-health, which kept him in Egypt until his period of furlough was exhausted. The manuscript. was sent home from India, and seen through the press by a friend in England. It is deservedly the most popular of Burton?s books, having passed through four editions. As a story of bold adventure, and as lifting a veil from the unknown, its interest will never fade? (DNB, 1901 edition). Burton's Pilgrimage is also an excellent source of information on earlier European travellers to the Holy Cities. His chapters on Mecca make numerous references to the earlier 19th century writings of Domingo Badia y Lebich and ?the accurate Burckhardt? (Vol III, p.149), while the appendices of the second volume reach even further back to the accounts of Ludovico di Varthema (1503), Joseph Pitts (1680) and Giovanni Finati (1814). Penzer, p.43-50; Macro, 640.
Seller: Maggs Bros. Ltd ABA, ILAB, PBFA, BA, London, United Kingdom
Price: US$17500.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: First Editions, First Printings of ALL three books in this 3 (vol) set. A beautiful copy with the folding maps present. The books are in excellent shape with minor wear to the edges. The bindings are tight with NO cocking or leaning and the boards are crisp. The pages are clean with NO writing, marks or bookplates in the books. A lovely copy in collector's condition. We buy Richard Burton First Editions.
Seller: Magnum Opus Rare Books, Missoula, MT, U.S.A.
Price: US$19323.94 + shipping
Description: First edition, an exceptionally well-preserved copy in the entirely unrestored original cloth, of one of the most extraordinary travel narratives of the 19th century; it surpassed all preceding Western accounts of the holy cities of Islam, made Burton famous, and became a classic of travel literature, described by T. E. Lawrence as "a most remarkable work of the highest value". This copy has an intriguing provenance, with the engraved bookplates to the pastedowns and inscriptions to titles and front free endpapers in each volume of Charles Alexander Thurburn (1825-1903), merchant in Alexandria. Of Scottish origin, the Thurburn family were well established as merchants in the city, with Charles's father Robert Thurburn (1784-1860) British consul in Alexandria during the Napoleonic wars. Burton began his pilgrimage to Mecca from Alexandria, going by donkey to the home of John Thurburn, the father-in-law of an old Oxford friend. Charles is recorded as requesting of Burton a copy of his report on African travel in December 1853 (Book of Burtonia, vol. I, accessible online). Fewer than half a dozen Europeans had made the hajj, or pilgrimage to the Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Medina, forbidden to non-Muslims, and lived. Of those only the Swiss explorer J. L. Burckhardt had left a detailed account. Burton made the pilgrimage in complete disguise as a Muslim native of the Middle East, an "exploit of linguistic and cultural virtuosity which carried considerable risk" (ODNB). During the several days that Burton spent in Mecca, he performed the associated rites of the pilgrimage such as circumambulating the Kaaba, drinking the Zemzem water and stoning the devil at Mount Arafat. Burton's biographer Dane Kennedy notes interestingly that, "Burton's decision to undertake the hajj in an 'Oriental' disguise was directed as much at a British audience as it was at the Muslims with whom he associated during his journey. His subterfuge was not, in fact, necessary to gain entry to Mecca: he could have gone there freely and openly had he simply proclaimed his conversion to Islam, which was in any case the sine qua non for the disguise he adopted. Why Burton chose instead to carry out his elaborate deception says something about the complex array of professional ambitions and social pressures that influenced his judgment. First, he still harboured a desire to go from Mecca into Arabia's Empty Quarter, which would have been difficult to do as an Englishman, even one who had sincerely converted to Islam. Second, he believed that an 'Oriental' persona would give him greater access to the intimate world of the peoples who inhabited the region, much as it had done in Sindh. Third, he understood that his adventure would be measured against the achievement of Burckhardt, who had entered Mecca and Medina in disguise. He could do no less" (Kennedy, p. 65). Abbey Travel 368; Gay 3634; Howgego IV B95; Ibrahim-Hilmy I p. 111; Penzer, pp. 49-50 (writing in 1923: "Very rare and increasing in value"). Dane Kennedy, The Highly Civilized Man: Richard Burton and the Victorian World, 2007. 3 volumes, octavo. Original dark blue morocco-grain cloth, title gilt to spines, spine decoration and panelling to the boards in black, terracotta surface-paper endpapers with advertisements to pastedowns, most of vol. 2 unopened. Housed in a dark blue quarter morocco solander box by the Chelsea Bindery. 15 plates of which 5 chromolithographs (including the famous portrait of Burton as "The Pilgrim" mounted as frontispiece to vol. 2), 8 single-tint lithographs, engraved plate of "Bedouin and Wahhabi Heads", 4 maps and plans (3 folding). Edmonds & Remnants binder's ticket at end of vol. I, contemporary bookseller's tickets of Charles Haselden, 21 Wigmore Street. Corners softened, extremities only lightly rubbed, an excellent copy, hinges intact, generally clean, much better than usually met with.
Seller: Peter Harrington. ABA/ ILAB., London, United Kingdom