THE ARABIAN NIGHTS

London: J. Booker; Baldwin, Cradock, and Joy; et al., 1819. Near fine.. Beautiful Regency-era set of the classic compendium of Middle Eastern folktales with illustrations by Queen Victoria's (future) drawing master. In the framing device of ONE THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS, Sharazade delays her own execution by captivating her captor-king with stories. The compilation of Islamic Golden Age folktales would gain popularity in Europe after Orientalist Antoine Gallard translated the work into his native French in 1704. English translations soon followed, and what came to be known as THE ARABIAN NIGHTS would end up having a powerful influence on what is commonly thought of as the Western narrative tradition- with figures such as Aladdin, Ali Baba, and Sinbad the Sailor leaving an indelible mark on the European cultural imagination. A lovely set with Westall's evocative illustrations in stunning blue calf. Four volumes, 6.25'' x 3.75'' each. Contemporary full blue calf, raised bands, elaborately gilt-stamped spines, red spine labels, triple gilt-rules. All edges marbled, marbled endpapers. Original silk brown ribbon markers. Illustrated with frontispieces in every volume and 7 additional full page plate engravings. iv, 358; iv, 350; [4], 340; [4], 384 pages. Light rubbing and edgewear, faint scattered foxing, moreso to endpapers, else sound and bright.