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(ARABIAN LITERATURE) MORIER, Sir James Justinian.
[Oriental romances; a collection of his fictional works in first edition.]
First editions of all nine works, including four presentation copies from the author, most inscribed "From the Author" at the head of title, but the sixth inscribed to Sir Robert Harry Inglis Bart. "From his faithfl. & ever obliged friend, the author" on half-title (cropped, just shaving one letter). James Justinian Morier (1782–1849), diplomatist and novelist, was born in Smyrna of Huguenot descent, son of the British consul-general of the Levant Company at Constantinople; his mother was daughter of the Dutch equivalent. After education in England, James learnt the Levant trade in his father's business. He visited Persia as secretary successively to Harford Jones and Sir Gore Ouseley and acted as aide to Persian dignitaries in London. He published two critically acclaimed travel books – A Journey through Persia, Armenia and Asia Minor (1812) and A Second Journey (1818) – before beginning the sequel of novels which brought him popularity and critical acclaim: the first and best of which, the Adventures of Hajji Baba of Isphahan (1824), displays his humorous and perceptive portrayal of Persian life and an easy style. "There is still considerable literary interest in Hajji Baba, and in Morier's memorable evocation of Persian life and character, in Europe, America, and the Middle East" (ODNB). The recipient of one and perhaps all of the presentation copies, Sir Robert Harry Inglis (1786–1855), second baronet, was an evangelical politician, loosely associated with the Clapham Sect, a large part of his parliamentary career dominated by his fierce opposition to Catholic emancipation, but nevertheless a man of wide literary, historical, and scientific interests, fellow of the Royal Society and the Society of Antiquaries, trustee of the British Museum and professor of antiquity at the Royal Academy, who also took a strong interest in Indian affairs. He had a wide and eclectic circle of friends. The titles are: The Adventures of Hajii Baba, of Ispahan, 1824 (3 vol., vol. 1 only with half-title, lacking in vol. 2 & 3; title in vol. 1 and a few other leaves very lightly soiled); The Adventures of Hajii Baba, of Ispahan, in England, 1828 (2 vols., without half-title in vol. 2, all called-for, but with final imprint leaf in vol. 1); Zohrab the Hostage, 1832 (3 vols., without initial advert leaf or half-titles in vol. 2 & 3); Ayesha, the Maid of Kars, 1834 (3 vols.); Abel Allnutt, A Novel, 1837 (3 vols., vol. 1 without half-title); The Mirza, 1841 (3 vols., half-titles); Martin Toutrond: A Frenchman in London in 1831, 1849 (half-title, etched frontis & wood-engraved illustrations by Measom, frontis lightly browned at edges); MORIER, Sir James Justinian, editor. The Banished: a Swabian Historical Tale, 1839 (3 vols., vol. 2 & 3 lacking half-titles, vol. 3 also 4pp. publisher's catalogue at end); St. Roche. A Romance, from the German, 1847 (3 vols., half-titles, genealogical table at end of vol. 3).
9 works in 24 volumes. Bound in handsome uniform mottled calf by Rivière & Son, boards with small Greek key border in gilt, spines gilt in compartments with red morocco labels, the first title listed below top edge gilt, others uncut, the rest all edges gilt. Some titles with small inkstamp of Robert Inglis on verso, engraved bookplate on front pastedowns. Joints lightly rubbed, but a magnificent collection of most of Morier's fictional output.
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