Les Contes des genies, ou, Les charmantes leçons d'Horam fils d'Asmar.; Ouvrage traduit du Persan en Anglois par Sir Charles Morell, ci-devant ambassaduer des éstablissements anglois dan l'Inde, a la cour du grand mogol, et en françois sur la translation angloise. (Translated by Jeab Baptiste Rene Robinet.) Avec XIII figures.
Amsterdam: Marc Michel Rey, 1766. First edition in French of Ridley's Tales of the Genii (first published London, 1764). Small 8vo. 3 volumes: xlviii, 283; (4), 335; (4), 331, (5, table) pp. Illustrated with 13 engraved plates; with half-title for each volume. With the engraved bookplate of "John Somers, Lord Somers" on each pastedown; Somers (1760-1841) was 1st Earl Somers, Member of Parliament, 1782-1806, and of the House of Lords on the death of his father in the latter year. With Somers' father's signature "Chas. Cocks" on each half-title; Cocks (1725-1806) was 1st Baron Somers and a Member of Parliament, 1747-1784. "The work purports to be by 'Sir Charles Morell, at one time ambassador from the British settlements in India to the Great Mogol,' and to be a literal translation from a book held in great estimation at Ispahan and at Constantinople. The 'Tales' however are entirely Ridley's own; the stories are good in themselves; they are interspersed with some satire upon the professions of so-called Christians; and for the rest, are skillfully modelled upon the Arabian Nights" (DAB). CBEL II, p. 546 (for the English edition). Early owner's name on each half-title, else very good. Contemporary mottled calf (a little rubbed, some wear to spine ends, marbled endpapers, leather labels and gilt rules and ornaments between raised spine bands, all edges red. (#5968). Item #58781
Price: $375.00