12mo. [12], 486 pp., [4], translated from Arabic to French by Sir Du Ryer (Sir of the Garde Malezair), title printed in red and black, beautiful custom made binding signed by de Samblanx et Weckesser, full red morocco, title gilt on raised decorated spine, gilt filament on covers, interior gilt lace decoration, marbled endpapers, fitted in marbled box, all edges gilt, bookplate of Georges Montandon verso front cover, light damp stain on right margin of pages 281-285, pencil note on front blank leaf, title description tipped in on front fly leaf, beautiful copy in very good condition, Chez Antoine de Sommaville, avec Privilege du Roy, Paris, third edition, 1672.

Synopsis

THIRD FRENCH EDITION. Magnificient binding. This important French translation, originally published in 1647, was the first to be made directly from the Arabic. Translated by André du Ryer (c.1580-c.1660). André du Ryer, a renowned Orientalist and linguist had lived in Egypt and Turkey, where he had studied classical Arabic. He served at the consulate in Alexandria in the 1620s and later as interpreter to the French ambassador in Istanbul. He made this well known translation of the Qur’an which was first published in 1647.
…”the aristocrat, André du Ryer, was born in Marcigny, he held office as the French Consul in Alexandria, Cairo and Byzantium. During his numerous trips through the entire Middle East, he learned Arabic & Turkish quite well. About 1630 he returned to Paris and became the King’s interpreter for Oriental languages. He wrote a Grammar of the Turkish language and translated the “Gulistan” by Saadi. His translation of the Koran was published in 1647. His dedication to Chancellor Seguier was suppressed after several prints […]. Du Ryer points out his targets as follows: “Sir, I have talked in French about Mohammed, I have translated his Alcoran in our language, in the honour of God, to help trade prosper and to satisfy the needs of those who preach Christianity to the Oriental people.” A short description of the “Religion des Turcs” was placed without further comment in front of his translation of the Koran. This translation gained wide recognition mainly because of its splendid style. It was a great success and gained wide distribution. Up to the 18th century it ran into 22 different editions. The last edition was published in 1775. It also served as the original text for later translations into other European languages. Certainly du Ryer permitted himself “…errors on almost each sheet; frequent distortions, omissions and additions…” in his translation, as Theodor Arnold angrily noted in his preface to his Quran translation.”… (from Marc- Edouard Enay #110 p. 76).
Bibliographic references: Willems, 1472; Chauvin X, p. 126; Schnurrer 427; Fück 74; Brunet III, 1309; Encyclopedia of the Qur’an V, 347.