The Adventures of Hajji Baba of Ispahan - with - The Adventures of Hajji Baba of Ispahan in England -
James J. Morier
1824 - John Murray, London - First Editions
This is the first edition of two satyrical books considered the most popular ‘Oriental’ novels in the English language – two hundred years old yet so famous the U.S. Airforce named an airlift after them and they inspired a Hollywood movie.
The first book follows the fictional Hajji Baba, the son of a barber from Isfahan, a likeable rogue who, in various guises including robber, doctor and executioner, is caught up in a series of extraordinary and farcical adventures.
‘Hajji Baba, the barber’s son, entered his native place, as Mirza Hajji Baba, the Shah’s deputy. Need I say more?’
The second book follows Hajji Baba to England as an emissary of the shah of Persia, and then as he is called back in shame – possibly to his own execution. Written by James Justinian Morier, a British diplomat admired for his subtle observations, adroit deployment of local customs, and his ability to appear neutral even when he wasn’t, the stories satirize violence, dishonesty and indulgence in Persian culture.
Morier was posted to Iran and to Mexico, where he negotiated a trade and navigation treaty. He worked at the Embassy in Tehran in the early 1800s and in 1809 accompanied an Iranian envoy to Britain. Through his novels, Morier is credited with introducing the Turkish word ‘bos’ to English, where it became ‘bosh’ and came to mean ‘nonsense’.
References: Darf
Four duodecimo volumes (binding size 17.5x12cm), pp. [2] lxxv [1] 272 [2]; [6] 403 [3]; [6] 387 [3]; [2] xxxii 306 [4]; [6] 352 [2]. Bound in three quarter dark green morocco over matching green and gilt marbled boards, spines lettered in gilt, matching marbled endpapers, top edges gilt remainder untrimmed, green silk bookmarks. Condition: Near fine, light foxing to endpapers, in very good bindings, some light wear to edges, uniform toning to spines. Ref: 111891 Price: HK$ 9,000
The first book follows the fictional Hajji Baba, the son of a barber from Isfahan, a likeable rogue who, in various guises including robber, doctor and executioner, is caught up in a series of extraordinary and farcical adventures.
‘Hajji Baba, the barber’s son, entered his native place, as Mirza Hajji Baba, the Shah’s deputy. Need I say more?’
The second book follows Hajji Baba to England as an emissary of the shah of Persia, and then as he is called back in shame – possibly to his own execution. Written by James Justinian Morier, a British diplomat admired for his subtle observations, adroit deployment of local customs, and his ability to appear neutral even when he wasn’t, the stories satirize violence, dishonesty and indulgence in Persian culture.
Morier was posted to Iran and to Mexico, where he negotiated a trade and navigation treaty. He worked at the Embassy in Tehran in the early 1800s and in 1809 accompanied an Iranian envoy to Britain. Through his novels, Morier is credited with introducing the Turkish word ‘bos’ to English, where it became ‘bosh’ and came to mean ‘nonsense’.
References: Darf
Four duodecimo volumes (binding size 17.5x12cm), pp. [2] lxxv [1] 272 [2]; [6] 403 [3]; [6] 387 [3]; [2] xxxii 306 [4]; [6] 352 [2]. Bound in three quarter dark green morocco over matching green and gilt marbled boards, spines lettered in gilt, matching marbled endpapers, top edges gilt remainder untrimmed, green silk bookmarks. Condition: Near fine, light foxing to endpapers, in very good bindings, some light wear to edges, uniform toning to spines. Ref: 111891 Price: HK$ 9,000