Books

The complete Benares limited edition of Burton's translation of 'One Thousand and One Nights', with the complete set of supplementary volumes, all beautifully illustrated throughout. The 'Benares' edition, limited to 1000 copies published by the Burton club for private circulation among its members. An unnumbered set, out of series.The Burton club published nine editions, each with a name of an Eastern port or city, with this being the 'Benares' edition. This edition was the first of these 'city' editions, according to Penzer's bibliography. Penzer also writes that these editions, which were reprints of the original works by Burton, were published in seventeen volumes rather than the original sixteen as the last volume was split in two.A seventeen volume complete set featuring ten volumes of 'A Plain and Literal Translation of the Arabian Nights' Entertainment, Now Entitled: The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night', and seven volumes of the supplemental works.The main volumes are illustrated with monochrome frontispieces and thirteen monochrome plates to "Vol 1", seven to "Vol 2", six to "Vol 3", five to "Vol 4", eight to "Vol 5", seven to "Vol 6", six to "Vol 7", five to "Vol 8", six to "Vol 9", and four to "Vol 10. Collated complete. The supplementary volumes feature monochrome frontispieces and four monochrome plates to "Vol I", five to "Vol 2", five to "Vol 3", four to "Vol 4", four to "Vol 5", four to "Vol 6", and four to "Vol 7". Collated, complete.Richard Burton's complete English translation of the famous collection of ancient Middle Eastern folktales, 'One Thousand and One Nights', a work which continues to have an immense influence on world literature today. Popular characters which originated in these tales include Aladdin, Sinbad, and Ali Baba.Undated, dated by Penzer's 'An Annotated Bibliography of Sir Richard Francis Burton'. In the publisher"s original cloth. Externally very smart with fading to the spines, with the "supplementary" volumes being brighter, the odd minor mark to the boards and minor rubbing to the gilt details. Offsetting and owner"s signatures to the endpapers. Internally firmly bound with generally clean and bright pages with the odd spot throughout. Very Good Indeed.

The "Kitāb 'Alf Layla wa-Layla" (The Book of One Thousand and One Nights), commonly known in English as "The Arabian Nights," is a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales compiled in Arabic during the Islamic Golden Age. Spanning from the 8th to the 14th centuries, this collection has been a significant cultural artifact, reflecting the complexity, traditions, and values of the Islamic world of its time. It has also played a crucial role in shaping Western perceptions of the East and has influenced an array of literary, musical, cinematic, and artistic endeavors across the globe. This essay explores the origins, structure, themes, and influence of "The Arabian Nights," shedding light on its enduring legacy and significance. The origins of "The Arabian Nights" are complex and multicultural, with stories traced back to ancient and medieval Persian, Indian, Egyptian, and Mesopotamian literature. These tales were gradually compiled and translated into Arabic, with the earliest references to the collection appearing in the 9th century. However, it was during the Islamic Golden Age that the collection, as known today, began to take shape, incorporating various stories of merchants, heroes, villains, jesters, and supernatural beings, reflecting the vibrant tapestry of the societies within the Islamic caliphates. At the heart of "The Arabian Nights" is the frame story of Shahrazad (Scheherazade), the daughter of the vizier, who volunteers to marry the sultan Shahryar. The sultan, betrayed by his first wife, vows to marry a new bride each day and have her executed the next morning to prevent further betrayal. Shahrazad, to save herself and future brides, tells Shahryar a story each night, leaving it incomplete and promising to finish it the following night. This narrative technique not only serves to connect the disparate tales but also showcases the power of storytelling as a means of transformation and survival. "The Arabian Nights" encapsulates a plethora of themes, including justice, betrayal, love, bravery, and the supernatural. The stories range from historical narratives and tragic romances to humorous anecdotes and moral lessons, offering insights into the diverse and complex societies from which they originate. The collection also frequently employs motifs such as jinn, magical devices, and fantastical creatures, weaving a rich tapestry that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. The impact of "The Arabian Nights" on world literature and culture cannot be overstated. The tales have been translated into numerous languages and have inspired countless adaptations in literature, opera, film, and visual arts. Characters like Aladdin, Sinbad, and Ali Baba have become cultural icons, and the themes of the tales have resonated with audiences around the globe, transcending cultural and temporal boundaries. Moreover, "The Arabian Nights" has contributed significantly to Western perceptions of the East, albeit through an orientalist lens that has often romanticized and exoticized Eastern cultures. This aspect of its legacy invites critical examination and dialogue about cultural representation and appropriation.