Lalla Rookh, An Oriental Romance

1818, full leather, and sold by Effingham Wilson, radical publisher

Author

Publisher

Printing Details

Ninth edition. Hardback, full leather binding with harp motif in gilt to boards, ornate gilt decoration and contrasting leather title label to spine and gilt border to boards. All edges gilt. 22 × 13.5cm, 397pp.

Not signed but this copy carries the bookseller ticket of Effingham Wilson of 88 Royal Exchange, London. Wilson was a radical publisher who promoted the free press and helped William Hone prepare for the triple libel trial of 1817 against government censorship.

First published in 1817, this long poem tells the story of the princess Lalla Rookh, who is engaged to the young king of Bukhara, she goes forth to meet him, but falls in love with Feramorz, a poet from her entourage. The works consists four narrative poems with a connecting tale in prose. This edition has an engraved title page and five plates engraved from Robert Westall.

Condition

Good condition for age but with some wear. The leather is marked and discoloured with rubbing to the corners and boards' edges. The text is foxed throughout, a little heavier to the engravings but remaining in strong readable condition.