Les Mille et Une Nuits. Contes arabes, traduits en Français par M. Galland [.].

12mo. 8 vols. XXIV, 334; (4), 356; (4), 356; (4), 353, final blank; (4), 348, (2); (4), 353, (3); (4), 425, (3); (4), 410, (2) pp. With 36 engraved plates, including 8 frontispieces. Contemporary half calf over marbled boards with giltstamped spine and spine-title. All edges marbled. Illustrated edition of Galland's highly influential French translation of the Arabian Nights, complete in eight volumes. Published simultaneously with the slightly more common 1832 edition by Hiard. Not a single copy of the Ledentu edition traceable at auction within the last decades. - Adapted to Parisian tastes, Galland's translation of the "Nights" had been first published in 12 volumes between 1704 and 1717, and "was quickly translated into English and German. It enjoyed a most remarkable success throughout Europe, perceptible even in children's literature, and contributed significantly to the new image which enlightened Europeans entertained of the Islamic East: after Galland, this was no longer the home of the Antichrist and of accursed heresy, but rather the ever-constant Orient beneath an eternally fair sky, boasting splendid colours and unheard-of wealth, Caliphs, Viziers, and Kadis, harems, fairy-tale princes, fairies and genies, sorcerers and sages, a world of fantastic adventure and outrageous incidents" (cf. Fück). - Extremities slightly rubbed; occasional light spotting and a few minimal edge flaws; pp. 47-50 of volume VII loose. A charming set. - Chauvin IV, 24. Cf. Fück 101. OCLC 82688412.