An Arabian Tale, From An Unpublished Manuscript: with Notes Critical and Explanatory. [Vathek].

The first publication of Vathek in any language.

First edition, translated from the French by Rev. Samuel Henley. 8vo. vii, [1, blank], 334 pp. Near contemporary tree calf, flat spine with six compartments outlined in gilt, second compartment lettered in gilt to red morocco label. London, J. Johnson. 

The first publication of Vathek in any language, being translated from the French by William Beckford’s friend Rev. Samuel Henley, and published contrary to Beckford’s instructions before the French publication. To add insult to injury, the English edition did not acknowledge Beckford’s authorship. Despite this, Henley’s translation is authoritative, in the months leading up to its publication Henley and Beckford had been collaborating over the translation, with Beckford offering corrections and praise over correspondence. The translation was later improved by Beckford in 1816, which remains the text predominantly read today. 

Two near contemporary ownership inscriptions to front free endpaper, book plate of Allington to front paste-down. 
A very good copy, joints and spine rubbed, and corners softly bumped. 

The Rothschild Library, 352. A Bibliography of William Beckford, Chapman & Hodgkin. 3. (A, i). Graham, Kenneth W. “‘Vathek’ in English and French.”  

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Stock Code: 242950