BURTON, Richard Francis, Sir (1821-1890), translator. The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night. [And:] Supplemental Nights. Benares: The Kamashastra Society for Private Subscribers Only, 1885-1888.

16 volumes, 8vo. 20th century half crushed morocco, spines in 6 compartments with 5 raised bands gilt, top edges gilt (very light rubbing, light soiling to page edges). Provenance: Armorial bookplate.

LIMITED FIRST EDITION, one of 1,000 copies. The Thousand Nights and a Night is the only complete English translation to date of a collection of Middle Eastern and South Asian folk tales compiled during the Islamic Golden Age. Due to the erotic nature of Burton's translation, the first English edition was initially printed in a run of 1,000 copies for "Private Subscribers Only" as a means of circumventing Victorian England obscenity laws. As a layer of extra security, Burton had the book's place of publication listed as Benares (a city in India) despite it having been printed in London by the Scottish firm of Miller & Richard. Penzer p.114-116.

[With]: WOOD, Stephen L. illustrator. One Hundred Illustrations to Captain Sir Richard Burton's Translation of The Arabian Nights from Original Paintings. London: Pickering and Chatto, 1900. 8vo. 98 (of 100) plates with tissue guards (toning, light wear). Loose as issued; folding chemise and uniform slipcase. Penzer p.125

BURTON, Richard Francis, Sir (1821-1890), translator. The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night. [And:] Supplemental Nights. Benares: The Kamashastra Society for Private Subscribers Only, 1885-1888.