BURTON, Richard Francis, Sir (1821-1890), translator. The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night… Reprinted from the Original Edition. 8 volumes. -- Supplemental Nights. 4 volumes. Leonard C. Smithers, editor. Albert Letchford, illustrator. London: H.S. Nichols Ltd., 1897.

Together, 12 volumes, 8vo (253 x 157 mm). Half-titles, titles-pages and facsimile title-pages printed in red and black, 71 heliogravure plates after original oil paintings by Letchford, lettered tissue guards. (Some spotting to text block.) Original dark red morocco gilt, olive cloth, top edge gilt, others uncut (a touch of rubbing to a few corners and joints, spines with some discoloration); together in original black morocco hinged casket with brass clasp and lock, lid gilt with Arabic inscription (lid detached, extremities degraded and worn).

“Kamashastra edition,” a variation of “The Illustrated Library Edition” closest to Penzer’s Style C, differing only in that this edition is without gilt-decoration on the upper covers, and “Kamashastra Edition” is gilt-lettered to the spine in the tail compartment. A reprint of the original Kama Shastra Society edition for private subscribers only, this edition includes all original 16 volumes in 12 and, according to Smithers is “the most complete English edition of The Nights that can ever be published” (Editor’s Note, p. [vii]). Nichols commissioned Letchford, a friend of Burton, to paint 65 illustrations and a portrait of Burton (the frontispiece in vol. I) in 1896, later commissioning 5 more to ensure “sufficient” illustration of the tales according to Penzer (pp.118-119). Penzer, pp. 118-124; Spink 82.

Property from the Estate of Peter Fortsas