4to. ix, [1], 439 pp., [1 advert], half-title, engraved frontispiece map, illustrations in text, untrimmed in modern half morocco, new end papers, title gilt bands on raised spine, small repaired tear on front fly leaf and on page 169, index of Arabic words, map and tile page foxed, minor occasional spotting, otherwise copy in very good condition, published by the authority of the Association for promoting the Discovery of the interior of Africa, Henry Colburn & Richard Bentley, London, first edition, 1830.

Synopsis

RARE FIRST EDITION. Edited by Sir William Ouseley. The author arrived at Jeddah exploring the Western part of Central Arabia and the country West of Najd. He died in Cairo in 1816 on his return trip to England and his book was published posthumously. The first edition is in two parts: the first one is an account of the Bedouin tribes and a statement of their various local establishments, numbers and military force, in addition to information about their extraordinary customs, manners and institutions, their arts and sciences, dress and arms. Many other particulars are also included about this most interesting race of Arabs. The second part consists of a history of the Islamic sanctuaries and Islam’s fierce enthusiasts, the Wahhabis, which Burckhardt had compiled from original information, both written and oral. His history of the Wahhabis traces them from their earliest appearance as reformers during the 18th century, through their wars with other Arabs and the Turks until 1816.
Bibliographic references: Embacher 57; Henze I, 406f; Hiler 127; OCLC 4637295; Cf. Macro, Bibliography of the Arabian Peninsula 626; Howgego II, B76 (first edition); Ibrahim-Hilmy I, 106; Henze I, 407; Engelmann 104; Brunet I, 1401 (first edition); Graesse I, 575 (1st print); Gay 3606; Röhricht P. 345.