Paris, Ernest Bourdin, n.d. [1840].
3 volumes large 8vo [255 x 170 mm] of: I/1 frontispiece, (3) ll., viii pp., 482 pp., 5 plates out of pagination, a few fowing; II/1 frontispiece, (3) ll., 576 pp., 5 plates out of pagination; III/ 1 frontispiece, (3) ll., 482 pp., (1) l. of table, 4 plates out of pagination. Numerous engravings in the text.
Eggplant shagreen, massive oriental ornamentation inspired by the book gilt-stamped on the covers, spines ribbed and decorated with the thousand points, large gilt inner border, green silk doublures and endleaves, some slight rubbing. Romantic contemporary binding.
Superb romantic edition of this French translation of the Thousand and One nights.
Vicaire, III, 862.
“A work of a rare beauty, illustrated with a considerable number of superb engravings, vignettes and other ornaments, of magnificent execution.” (Catalogue d’une petite bibliothèque formée par un amateur, n°500)
“About 1 000 woodcuts interspersed in the text and 20 plates printed separately including the frontispieces and the titles. Published in 100 issues at 30 cents. Rare 1st edition in good condition.” (J. Brivois, Bibliographie des ouvrages illustrés du XIXe siècle, 165).
The present edition is abundantly illustrated with three frontispices including one printed in hues, 14 woodcuts out of pagination and approximately 1000 engravings in the text, all engraved after Wattier, Laville, Demoraine and Marville.
“First edition.
The plates out of pagination are without captions and bear, for the most part, the name of Bourdin.
The work was published in 100 issues under pink wrappers.
Bourdin’s address, 16 rue de Seine, should appear on all three volumes; volumes II and III should not bear the address 51 rue de Seine-St Germain.” (Carteret, III, 256).
A very fine copy preserved in its contemporary binding decorated with an orientalist design.
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