THE BOOK OF THE THOUSAND NIGHTS AND A NIGHT. Translated from the Arabic by Captain Sir R.F. Burton. Reprinted from the original edition and edited by Leonard C. Smithers. Illustrated by a Series of Seventy-one Original Illustrations Reproduced From the Original Pictures in Oils Specially Painted by Albert Letchford

12 Volumes. This is the RARE full morocco, gilt extra, "Illustrated Library Edition" according to Penzer's designation (see p. 117-122 for a discussion of the various editions). With the 71 illustrations by Albert Letchford, including a portrait of Burton. Also issued with reproductions of the title-pages from the original Benares Kamashastra edition. Large 8vo, original full dark black levant morocco elaborately gilt with Arabic motifs in the panels of the spines, the covers with an intricate gilt all-over panel design featuring Arabic designs and calligraphy, t.e.g. A fine very beautiful set, spines perfectly restored, virtually without indication.

Edizione: in the rare full dark black levant morocco gilt extra binding. this edition conforms to the "illustrated library edition" that penzer describes. it was actually produced for the grolier society, though their name does not appear anywhere. it includes, as the title-page states, the seventy-one illustrations by letchford, and was issued in four binding styles, this being the rarest and most elaborate: style d, though in a black colour not known to the bibliographer. "for many years," penzer mentions, "i thought that this full morocco issue never really appeared, but a copy was sold at sotheby's in november 1920" (p. 121). apparently he never saw a copy.<br> interestingly enough, the illustrations to "the arabian nights" were bound in and issued with the text for the first time by nichols as here. penzer describes those illustrations being first inserted within the "library edition," that english printing, modeled after the benares edition and to which he thus ascribes the name "illustrated library edition." one conjectures that only a very small number, perhaps 25 or less of these fully bound and decorated sets might have been issued.