Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to El-Medinah and Meccah
London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, 1855-56.
First Edition. Hardcover. Near fine. Three volumes: Vol I, pp xiv, [2], 388, with folding map and three plates (two colored); Vol II, pp iv, 426, with 4 plates (one colored) and 2 plans (one folding); Vol. III, pp x, [2], 448, with 7 plates (two colored) and a folding plan.. Attractively bound in three-quarter green leather and marbled boards, with marbled edges, gilt spines with five raised bands. Lower corners of volume III bumped, Bookplate of Arthur H[enry] Sanxay Barwell (1834-1913, Prebendary of Fittleworth, Canon of Chichester) on each front pastedown, some foxing to the plates, otherwise very clean and sound. Burton's celebrated account of his journey, described as a Muslim pilgrim, to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, where entry by non-Muslims was strictly forbidden. The journey itself was dangerous--Burton's caravan was attacked by bandits along the way--but the greatest risk was that his true identity as a European Christian would be revealed, as exposure meant certain death. He had studied Islam and Arabic for many years, and he tested the waters by successfully passing himself off as a Muslim in in Egypt before beginning his pilgrimage in July 1853. His narrative of the journey became an instant sensation when published in England two years later. It made Burton's reputation as a linguist, anthropologist, and explorer and is now one of the great classics of travel literature. Penzer pp 49-50; Casada 53; Abbey, Travel, 368.
Item #17520
Sold