The Arabian Nights, in Five Volumes, Translated by The Reverend Edward Forster.

FORSTER, Reverend Edward.

$600.00

Item Number: 145199

London: Printed for William Miller, 1802.

Large paper edition of this early translation by Edward Forster (1769-1828), based on the French version of Antoine Galland which first appeared between 1704 and 1717. Royal octavo, bound in full period calf with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, illustrated with engravings from pictures by Robert Smirke. In very good condition. Small bookplate to the pastedown of each volume.

After studying law and medicine at Balliol and St Mary Hall, Oxford, Edward Forster decided to enter the clergy. He soon "entered into an engagement with a bookseller, William Miller to issue tastefully printed editions of the works of standard authors, illustrated by the best artists of the day" (DNB). His translation of the Arabian Nights was reprinted several times, seeing five editions by 1854.