Books

First edition 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". Copies in bright examples of the original cloth binding are desirable. Before Burton, fewer than half a dozen Europeans had made the hajj and lived, and only one, 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 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 judgement. 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" (pp. 64-65). READ MORE Three vols, octavo. Original dark blue morocco-grain cloth, title gilt to spines, spine decoration and panelling to boards in black, terracotta surface-paper endpapers with advertisements to pastedowns. Housed in a dark blue leather entry slipcase by the Chelsea Bindery. With 5 chromolithographs (including the famous portrait of Burton as "The Pilgrim" mounted as frontispiece to vol. II), 8 single-tint lithographs, all printed by Hanhart, engraved plate of "Bedouin and Wahhabi Heads", 4 maps and plans (3 folding). Foot of spines with residual gum marks from removal of library labels, vertical crease to spine of vol. II, bindings a little rubbed, corners softened, a very few library stamps to lower margins (University of Durham), front free endpapers lightly abraded where label once removed, neat ownership inscriptions of one "Robert Wilson 1856", a couple of sections proud at fore edge, scattered foxing, yet this remains an attractive, bright set, the inner hinges not cracked; complete with errata leaf in vol. I, vol. III with half title as called for, 24-page publisher's catalogue at end of vols. I and III (both dated November 1855). 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.

A travel narrative by Richard F Burton detailing his journey to the Islamic cities of Medina and Mecca, which were typically off-limits to non-Muslims, achieved under disguise as a Muslim pilgrim.