LALLA ROOKH, An Oriental Romance
London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, 1853. Hardcover. First published in 1817, this romantic work by Irish poet Thomas Moore (1779-1852) consists of four narrative poems with a connecting tale in prose. The title refers to the fictional heroine of the frame tale, depicted as the daughter of the 17th century Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Lalla Rookh was a resounding success, and played its popularity played an instrumental role in making Kashmir a household name in the English-speaking world. Octavo: viii, 392 pp. with a frontispiece with tissue guard, extra title page vignette, and 11 full-page plates, all fine steel engravings by F. Bacon, J. Brown, C. Heath, J. Hollis, G.A. Periam, H. Rolls, E. Scriven, L. Stocks, and F.F. Walker, after illustrations by Edward Corbould, K. Meadows, and T.P. Stephanoff. In the publisher's cream parchment over thin beveled boards, with gilt-stamped ruled borders, and ruled and ornamental frame with arabesque corners on the front and rear panels, and five raised bands, gilt-stamped ruled head and tail bands, ruled and ornamental compartments, and ruled compartment with titling on the spine. All edges gilt, with a dark blue silk ribbon marker, gilt-stamped ornamental dentelles, and marbled endpapers. The bookplate of Dr. Nigel Temple appears on the front pastedown. Some mild discoloration to the parchment; else very good or better. Provenance: from the Publishers' Bookbindings collection of Ellen K. Morris and Edward S. Levin. Very good. Item #79093
Price: $500.00