Books

The Memorial edition, being the first posthumous edition, finely bound. It includes a new preface by Lady Burton and "is very complete, as it has the various appendices from all the past editions" (Penzler, p. 55). The work made Burton famous, surpassed all preceding Western accounts of the holy cities of Islam, and became a classic of travel literature. Instead of making the pilgrimage as an English convert to Islam, Burton travelled in complete disguise as a Muslim-born native of the Eastern world, an "exploit of linguistic and cultural virtuosity which carried considerable risk" (ODNB). Burton had died three years before the publication of this fourth British edition overall, which followed those of 1855-6, 1857, and 1879. 2 vols, octavo. Mid-20th-century dark blue morocco for Asprey, spines lettered and framed in gilt, twin gilt rule on covers, board edges ruled in gilt, floral gilt roll on turn-ins, marbled endpapers, edges gilt. Frontispieces, 13 plates, including in colour or sepia, folding map in colour, 2 folding plans, double-page plan, line drawings in the text. Bindings bright, occasional spot of foxing, generally clean, initial folding map of Volume I with tape repairs to central fold and two marginal tears. An excellent set. Casada, p. 49; Penzer, pp. 54-5.

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.