Available Copies from Independent Booksellers
Price: US$385.72 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: 12 volumes, grand in-8°, plein chagrin bronze de l'éditeur, dos à nerfs orné de fers dorés, plats frappés d'un décor doré estampé à froid, tête dorée. 71 illustrations plein page tirées en héliogravures d'après les huiles d'Albert Letchford spécialement peintes pour l'occasion. Coins et coiffes frottés. Dos insolés. Quelques mors frottés. Cette édition comprend les seize livres originaux, y compris les Nuits supplémentaires. Elle a été publiée à titre privé par la Kamashastra Society, car une grande partie du contenu a été jugée inappropriée à l'époque en raison de sa nature sexuelle. Les éditions précédentes avaient été expurgées sur ordre de la veuve de Burton. Cette édition présente pour la première fois un texte non expurgé, rétablissant ainsi la traduction originale non tronquée de Burton. Pour toute livraison hors CEE, prière de me contacter au préalable pour convenir ensemble des frais de livraison.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 volumes, in-8°, full chagrin, gilt decorated banded spine, decorative gilt panel of an elaborate Islamic design to front boards, top edges gilt. 71 Heliogravures hors-texte after oils painted by Albert Letchford. Corners and headcapes slightly frayed. Spines sunned. Some Joints bumped. This edition comprises the original sixteen books including the Supplemental Nights. It was published privately by the Kamashastra Society as much of the material was deemed inappropriate at the time due to its sexual nature. Earlier editions had been expurgated by Burton's widow. This edition presents for the first time an unexpurgated text. This is a heavy set and may require additional postage if being shipped outside of Europe.
Seller: Librairie de l'Escurial, NICE, France
Price: US$600.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Complete 12 volumes set in handsome, original, cloth bindings. Black cloth with gold lettering on the spine, gold borders on the boards. Top edges gilt. Outer and bottom foreedges left rough with deckled edge. Bindings all good and tight, though cloth on the spine is faded a slight tone lighter than that on the boards. This is the Library Edition, Illustrated with 71 plates by Letchford, each a photogravure on heavy paper, with a captioned, tissue paper shield. Title page printed in black and red. Set measures 6.75 x 10 inches, and sits on nearly 2 feet of shelf space. It's a significant set. Title pages dated 1897 in every volume. Previous owner has signed his name 'Walter S. Lindsay' in every volume. Wide margins, clean pages, bindings tight and attractive. Overall a very nice set. Weighs nearly 40 lbs so extra shipping will be required, especially for international delivery. Please email with questions or to request photos. [shelved with the Sets in the basement]
Seller: Riverby Books, Fredericksburg, VA, U.S.A.
Price: US$750.00 + shipping
Description: A set of twelve quarto volumes (26 x 18 cms), each uniformly-bound in 3/4 wine-red leather over woven green cloth, with marbled endpapers and the top edges gilt. All volumes remain tightly-bound, with minor evidence of rubbing to the extremities. Each volume carries a rather nice bookplate of J. H. Burton, depicting a schooner in full sail bordered by mermaids. The bookplate is initialled "HN" (Harold Nelson, famed British bookplate designer, artist, and engraver). Internally, all volumes are in excellent condition and appear to have been seldom read or even opened. The words "Kamashastra Edition" appear at the bottom of the spine of each volume. The magnificent "Library Edition" of The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night translated from the Arabic by Captain Sir R. F. Burton and reprinted from the original 1885 privately-circulated Kamashastra Society edition. It is edited by Leonard C. Smithers and illustrated by a series of seventy-one inserted original illustrations reproduced from the original pictures in oils specially painted by Albert Letchford.
Seller: BISON BOOKS - ABAC/ILAB, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Price: US$800.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: The 12 volume illustrated Library Edition. Leather binding is scuffed, books are tightly bound with original reinforced hinges and marbled endpapers. Size: 12 Volume Set
Seller: Robert S. Brooks, Bookseller, Bristol, WI, U.S.A.
Price: US$890.00 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: This twelve-volume set bound in three-quarter leather with marbled boards and endpapers has some flaws, but remains a very attractive set, and is priced accordingly. The set is edited by Leonard C. Smithers and illustrated with seventy-one original plates by Albert Letchford. All volumes are tight and square with exceptionally clear and crisp contents. Since each volume has separately numbered pages and characteristics, we will describe each volume independently. Volume 1 (416 pages) has wear and tear at the top of the backstrip and some darkening at the bottom. Volume 2 (431 pages) a bit of darkening at base of spine. Volume 3 (444 pages) good. Volume 4 (418 pages) some wear at top of backstrip. Volume 5 (400 pages) good. Volume 6 (408 pages) some darkening along the lower edges of the covers. Volume 7 (406 pages) some darkening along the lower edges of the covers. Volume 8 (424 pages) some darkening along the spine and the lower edges of the covers. Volume 9 (444 pages) some darkening along the spine and the lower edges of the covers. Light damp stain at lower edges of the first few pages. Volume 10 (479 pages) some darkening along the spine and the lower edges of the covers. Front flyleaf chipped. Volumes 11 (494 pages) some darkening along the spine and the lower edges of the covers. A short separation at the base of the front hinge. Volume 12 (399 pages) some darkening along the spine and the lower edges of the covers. Size: 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall
Seller: Village Booksmith, Hudson Falls, NY, U.S.A.
Price: US$1200.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: [Handsome Leatherbound Kamashastra Edition] 12 volume set. 3/4 black leather over green cloth. Gilt ruled spine compartments. Top edges gilt. Hardcover. Minor shelf wear. Clean, unmarked pages. With 71 illustrations after paintings by Albert Letchford. Title pages and half-titles in red and black.
Seller: Sequitur Books, Boonsboro, MD, U.S.A.
Price: US$1322.48 + shipping
Description: (.series of 71 original illustrations reproduced from the original pictures in oils specially painted by Letchford. Library edition - In 12 Volumes cpl. - in englischer Sprache ). Band 1 mit XXXII ( Contents und Foreword ), 416 Seiten / Band 2 mit VIII ( Contents ), 1 Blatt, 431 Seiten / Band 3 mit X ( Contents ), 1 Blatt, 444 Seiten / Band 4 mit X ( Contents ), 1 Blatt, 420 Seiten / Band 5 mit VIII, 400 Seiten / Band 6 mit 2 n.n. Blättern, 408 Seiten / Band 7 mit VIII, 1 Blatt, 406 Seiten / Band 8 mit XIII, 1 Blatt, 444 Seiten / Band 9 mit 2 n.n. Blättern, 424 Seiten / Band 10 mit XIX, 1 Blatt, 479 Seiten / Band 11 mit IX, 1 Blatt, 495 Seiten / Band 12 mit XXIV, 1 Blatt, 399 Seiten. Mit zusammen 71 schwarz-weißen bzw. getönten Illustrationen auf Tafeln. Die Titelblätter jeweils in rot und schwarz gedruckt. Die Einbände jeweils in goldgeprägtem Oln mit reich goldgeprägtem Vorderdeckel sowie meist mit Kopfgoldschnitt, 4° ( 26,5 x 17 cm ). Leider von nur mäßiger Erhaltung: Die Einbände sind berieben, Ecken und Kanten teils bestoßen, der schmale Einbandrücken zu den Kapitalen hin meist etwas angeplatzt und meist stärker ausgefranst. Die Bindung ist meist defekt, Buchblock teils stark gelockert. Innen sind die Seiten teils gering fleckig bzw. gering stockfleckig, nur wenige Seiten stärker fleckig, Buchschnitt meist leicht stockfleckig. Seiten meist unbeschnitten. Die Tafeln meist sauber und von guter Erhaltung. Zusammen 12 Bände ( so vollständig ). ( Gesamtgewicht ca. 14400 Gramm ) (Bitte beachten: Beim Versand ins Ausland erhöhte Versandkosten aufgrund des hohen Gewichts ) ( Lagerort SR, Schreibtisch unten ) ( Bitte beachten: Export außerhalb der EU nur auf Anfrage / export outside the EU only at request )( Weitere Bilder auf Anfrage / further pics at request )
Seller: Antiquariat Friederichsen, Hamburg, Germany
Price: US$1606.10 + shipping
Description: Illustrated Library Edition; Roy. 8vo; bound in original half burgundy morocco, raised bands, title lettered in gilt on spines, , green cloth sides, marbled endpapers, linen inner hinges, top edges gilt, others uncut, some mild foxing overall a very good set. The pre-eminent English translation of the Middle Eastern classic. It is the keystone of Burton's literary reputation. Burton first published his translation in 16 volumes from 1885 to 1888. This is the first edition to include the illustrations of Albert Letchford, Burton's close friend and "court painter".
Seller: Time Booksellers, Somerville, VIC, Australia
Price: US$1886.40 + shipping
Description: 260mm x 170mm (10" x 7"). [5000pp.]. 71 original tissue-guarded original illustrations by Albert Letchford. This edition comprises the original sixteen books ie. the entire work. It was published privately by the Kama Shastra Society as much of the material was deemed inappropriate at the time due to its sexual nature. N.B.: Heavy set - please ask for shipping quote stating country of destination. VG : in very good condition without dust jacket. Fine binding. Marbled endpapers. Teg - remaining edges uncut Red morrocco hardback half-leather cover on green cloth
Seller: Barter Books Ltd, Alnwick, NORTH, United Kingdom
BURTON, Sir Richard F. (Tr.). The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night. H. S. Nichols, 1897.
Price: US$2117.39 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: BURTON, Sir Richard F. (Tr.). The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night London, H. S. Nichols, 1897. 8vo, 12 vols. The illustrated library edition. Publishers red half morocco, green cloth over boards, raised bands, gilt title to spine in English and Arabic, interlace panels to the third and fifth compartments, upper fore-edge gilt, the others uncut, beautiful marbled endpapers. Spines just a little worn and rubbed, an admirable collection withal. 71 photogravure plates taken from oil paintings by Albert Letchford, especially commissioned for this work, each with captioned tissue-guard. One of the variant issues of the Nichols-Smithers Editions, this styled the illustrated Library Edition by Penzer (p.122), while the blocking to the tails of the spines identifies it as the Kamashastra Edition. A very good, attractive, and skilfully produced set. Chauvin IV, 229 refers to the 1893 issue of the Library Edition, note at p.85 to the Letchford illustrations; Penzer pp.122-3.
Seller: Symonds Rare Books Ltd, London, United Kingdom
Price: US$3208.16 + shipping
Description: The Library Edition. Printed by the Kamashastra Society for Private Subscribers only. Complete in 12 volumes; large octavo, (27 x 18 x 56cm). Frontispiece portrait and photogravure illustrations with titled tissue guards. Publisher's original red half morocco with raised bands, gilt titles and decoration to spines, green buckram boards, top edges gilt, marbled endpapers. Some spotting to edges of text block. Very minor handling but no significant condition issues to bindings; clean and fresh, not rubbed or dulled, joints and headcaps strong. A superior set in the publisher's handsome leather binding. 'The reader has here. the most complete English edition of The Nights that can ever be published.'.
Seller: Adrian Harrington Ltd, PBFA, ABA, ILAB, Royal Tunbridge Wells, KENT, United Kingdom
Price: US$3750.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: 12 vols., 10-5/16" x 6-7/8", translated from the Arabic by Captain Sir R.F. Burton, reprinted from the original edition and edited by Leonard C. Smithers, Illustrated with a Series of Seventy-one Original Illustrations Reproduced From the Original Pictures in Oils Specially Painted by Albert Letchford, bound in the publisher's deluxe binding of 1/2 dark blue morocco, ribbed gilt decorated spines, "Kamashastra Edition" gilt to the foot of the spines, marbled pastedowns and endpapers, top edges gilt, others uncut as issued, internally clean and bright, inner and outer hinges fine, no previous ownership markings, inscriptions, or bookplates, spines slightly sunned otherwise A VERY GOOD SET. (For a discussion of the "Illustrated Library Edition" according to Penzer's designation (see p. 117-122 of the bibliography.) Penzer makes no mention of this binding in his bibliography. 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."
Seller: D&D Galleries - ABAA, Somerville, NJ, U.S.A.
Price: US$7150.00 + shipping
Description: 12 volumes. First edition earliest state of the illustrations, First Issue of the First Illustrated Library Edition, First Edition thus. This, a very rare proof copy of the work in a very rare binding state and with all plates marked Remarque Proof and printed on Japon vellum. 71 original illustrations, including a portrait of Burton, reproduced from the original pictures in oils specially painted by Albert Letchford. This copy a proof copy with all plates in proof state and printed on Japon Vellum. Also included are all of the original prelims to the Letchford plates publication noting the severe limitation of copies of the plates printed on Japon Vellum. 8vo, three-quarter gilt-bordered dark green morocco over green pebbled boards, the spine in compartments separated by gilt-ruled raised bands, lettered in gilt on two labels (one brown, one green), t.e.g., marbled endpapers (Penzer Style B). A very handsome set, very well preserved. A scarce and handsome edition, the first to include the illustrations by Letchford. In 1896, two years after their first edition of ARABIAN NIGHTS, the Nichols-Smithers duo commissioned Sir Richard Burton's close friend, Albert Letchford, to paint 65 illustrations for another edition as well as a portrait of Burton, and soon after commissioned for 5 more. Burton and Letchford had met several years before when Letchford was 18 when he was in Florence beginning his art education and had discussed the possibility of illustrating "Nights." "Burton's suggestion of illustrating the "Nights" had appealed greatly to Letchford on account of the unlimited scope such a subject would give to an artist who loved the East and had a boundless imagination." Letchford commenced study of Eastern images for his paintings, though only one of the illustrations was painted in Burton's lifetime.
Seller: Buddenbrooks, Inc., Newburyport, MA, U.S.A.
Price: US$9350.00 + shipping
Description: 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. THIS IS A VERY RARE PUBLISHERS 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.
Seller: Buddenbrooks, Inc., Newburyport, MA, U.S.A.
Price: US$9350.00 + shipping
Description: 12 Volumes. This is the RARE full morocco, gilt extra, "Illustrated Library Edition" according to Penzer's designation (see p. 117-122 for a discussion of the various editions). 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 full dark black levant morocco elaborately gilt with Arabic motifs in the panels of the spines, the covers with an intricate gilt all-over panel design featuring Arabic designs and calligraphy, t.e.g. A fine very beautiful set, spines perfectly restored, virtually without indication. IN THE RARE FULL DARK BLACK LEVANT MOROCCO GILT EXTRA BINDING. 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, this being the rarest and most elaborate: Style D, though in a black colour not known to the bibliographer. "For many years," Penzer mentions, "I thought that this full morocco issue never really appeared, but a copy was sold at Sotheby's in November 1920" (p. 121). Apparently he never saw a copy. 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 25 or less of these fully bound and decorated sets might have been issued.
Seller: Buddenbrooks, Inc., Newburyport, MA, U.S.A.
Price: US$13750.00 + shipping
Description: 12 volumes. Rare and Most Probably a Unique Presentation of the Illustrated Library Edition. 142 original illustrations, including a portrait of Burton, reproduced from the original pictures in oils specially painted by Albert Letchford with one set of the original 71 illustrations presented as included by the publisher and another set individually hand-coloured. 8vo, splendid, handsome and very finely executed three-quarter gilt-bordered dark red morocco over vellum covered boards, the spine in compartments separated by wide gilt decorated raised bands, the compartments of the spine elaborately decorated and lettered in gilt with beautiful arabesque designs, t.e.g., marbled endpapers. A very handsome and unusually appealing set. The bindings are very stately and attractive and the colouring of the illustrations beautifully accomplished. We know of no other handcoloured copy being offered in recent memory. Some old stains to the edges of some leaves or plates, lower corners of a few volumes with old evidence of damp. Spines, gilt-work, bands all in excellent condition. A VERY RARE AND PROBABLY UNIQUE SET OF THIS HIGHLY IMPORTANT EDITION, THE FIRST TO BE ILLUSTRATED, AND THIS COPY WITH AN ADDED SET OF THE ORIGINAL PLATES SINGULARLY HANDCOLOURED. Nichols printing is a scarce and handsome edition, the first to include the illustrations by Letchford. In 1896, two years after their first edition of ARABIAN NIGHTS, the Nichols-Smithers duo commissioned Sir Richard Burton's close friend, Albert Letchford, to paint 65 illustrations for another edition as well as a portrait of Burton, and soon after commissioned for 5 more. Burton and Letchford had met several years before when Letchford was 18 when he was in Florence beginning his art education and had discussed the possibility of illustrating "Nights." "Burton's suggestion of illustrating the "Nights" had appealed greatly to Letchford on account of the unlimited scope such a subject would give to an artist who loved the East and had a boundless imagination." Letchford commenced study of Eastern images for his paintings, though only one of the illustrations was painted in Burton's lifetime. Richard Burton was one of the foremost linguists of his time, an explorer, poet, translator, ethnologist, and archaeologist, among other things. The Thousand Nights and a Night is probably the most famous of all his many works. This translation reflected his encyclopedic knowledge of Arabic language, sexual practices and life: "it reveals a profound acquaintance with the vocabulary and customs of the Muslims, with their classical idiom," [Ency Britt] as well as colloquialisms, philosophy, modes of thought and intimate details. In contrast to Victorian mores, Burton was driven to explore what would now be called by literary critics the uncanny/Unheimliche or the unresolvable tensions of human beings. Accordingly, he recorded details of daily life and practices that were considered vulgar at the time. "The Arabian Nights" have been traced back to an ancient Persian masterpiece, the "Hazar Afsanah" or "Thousand Tales." The stories themselves can be dated from between the 8th and the 16th centuries and were for popular entertainment. They include a range of subjects from romance and fantasy, to homosexuality, bestiality, and obscenity. While a number of other English translations predated Burtons unexpurgated version, perhaps his achieved greatest notoriety due to its copious footnotes and the "Terminal Essay" found in the last volume. They are a compendium of his private reservoir of anthrological and sexual curiosities. His discussions of female sexual education and homosexuality excited intense debate and controversy at the time of publication. Burtons intellectual influence is far-reaching. His amazing grasp of languages and culture anticipates the globalism of the future. His geographical discoveries not only make him an interesting historical figure but also allowed for future exploration. The detail with which he wrote and his willingness to examine intimate aspects of daily life were precursors to modern ethnography. And his understanding and willingness to immerse himself in cultures that are still little understood by those in Western nation-states is enlightening on many levels. Burtons "Nights" was enthusiastically received and lauded as "masterly, strong, vital, and picturesque," and as "one of the most important translations to which a great English scholar has ever devoted himself." However, it was not without its critics, including th Edinburgh Review which wrote, "Probably no European has ever gathered such an appalling collection of degrading customs and statistics of vice." Burton was ecstatic over the immediate critical and financial success of his translation and became instantaneously famous internationally. Burton wrote of the financial success of his Nights, " I struggled for forty-seven years. I distinguished myself honourably in every way I possibly could. I never had a compliment nor a thank you, nor a single farthing. I translated a doubtful book in my old age, and immediately made sixteen thousand guineas. Now that I know the tastes of England, we need never be without money."
Seller: Buddenbrooks, Inc., Newburyport, MA, U.S.A.
Price: US$15399.18 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: Twelve volumes in the original box - Volume One - xxxii, 416pp; Volume Two - viii, 431pp, [1]; Volume Three - x, 444pp; Volume Four - x, 420pp; Volume Five - viii, 400pp; Volume Six - [10], 408pp; Volume Seven - viii, 406pp; Volume Eight - xii, 424pp; Volume Nine - xiii, [1], 444pp; Volume Ten - xix, [1], 479pp, [1]; Volume Eleven - ix, [1], 495pp, [1] and Volume Twelve - xxiv, 399pp, [1]. Publishers half morocco and cloth, raised bands, spine in six panels, title lettered directly to second panel, translator and volume to fourth, arabic script to first and sixth panels with knot work tool to third and fifth, t.e.g., marbled endpapers in original box. Spines very slightly faded, some spines very slightly discoloured, some light foxing to edges of text block. Internally some light foxing to endpapers and occasionally to text, but generally clean. Housed in the publishers original drop front box, or 'casket' (somewhat faded with minor repairs and with a replacement key). See Penzer, pages 120-124 Size: 8vo
Seller: Temple Rare Books, Oxford, United Kingdom
Price: US$16995.00 + shipping
Description: Large Octavo. The translation by Sir. R.F. Burton, with seventy-one original illustrations which are from the original oils painted by Albert Letchford. Housed in the original casket with the Arabic title gilt-stamped [Alf Laylah wa Laylah, English transliteration which translates: Thousand Nights and a Night], measuring 23" x 12" known as the casket case with the key and among the most elusive of the collectible sets. There were only 500 sets issued in a leather casket case with the original key, (Penzer, An Annotated Bibliography of Sir Richard Francis Burton, p. 120-121.) Originally published in 1881, it has become the pre-eminent English translation of the Middle Eastern classic. It is the keystone of Burton's literary reputation. It is, of course, the unbridled eroticism that horrified Victorian readers. Virtually, every chapter is a case of seduction such as the case of King Shahrye where the young prince has always been free to relieve the young women of their maidenhood but here he forces himself on one that was forbidden, the accompanying image by Letchford shows the servant girls who were supposed to protect her fleeing when they saw their young master "go in unto the damsel". The original first edition deleted 215 pages which were restored in this special Library Edition making it the most complete edition ever published. In Volume I, the translator shows his scholarly attention to detail but notes that the Near Eastern attention to sexual detail is different to the English audience. In the case of the latter, the newly married couple as presented in the 19th century adjourns to their marriage bed in quiet. The Near Eastern mind details the procedures though the translation does not use the terms which even in the 21st century are often considered coarse in polite society. From the beginning, the king laments that even he has been cuckolded as the passion of the women reigns supreme. While the stories are the most complete ever presented on the customs of the Near East, it is largely about relationships in dining, joking, and devotion through the reality of sex is never far away. A superb set with limited foxing not extending to the illustrations where each tissue guard describes the scene in the painting. This set will not be shipped outside the United States. Bound in 3/4 brown pebble-grained morocco over olive green cloth, raised bands with compartments lettered and decorated in gilt, marbled endpapers, top edges gilt, spines have evenly changed to a reddish-brown, upper joint of volume one strengthened. (Penzler, p. 144.}.
Seller: Alcuin Books, ABAA/ILAB, Scottsdale, AZ, U.S.A.
Price: US$22500.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: Penzer p 20. This is the "coffin set" or boxed 1897 edition printed by Nichols. Of all the reprints, the second best (after the true first) is the Nichols edition of 1897. The most elaborate of these is Style C described in the prospectus as follows: In three quarter levant, Selected Syrian large grained Angora goat skins. Sumac tanned of the characteristoics Damascus red. Full gold black and five double bands, Grolier corners, gold tops, tooled sides, silk head bands, triple cord stitching, hollow backs, rein forced joints, gold veined end papers. The twelve volumes enclosed in a leather casket 23" x 12.5" x 8.5 ", to place on an ordinary bookshelf or stand on a table. The casket in olive green morocco, lined soft cloth with a spring lock and key of oriental design (this set does Not have the key). It contains the 71 Letchford plates printed on special paper. Volumes over 400 pages each. The set was issued at L15,15s each. There were 500 such sets. All 12 of the books in this set are Fine, appearing as if never read or opened. The case, however, has seen better days. The leather is dried and cracking, and chipped, and the inside shows its age. Repeat, the key is missing. A very scarce and stunning set.
Seller: Trophy Room Books, Agoura, CA, U.S.A.