Descrizione

Folio (240:320 mm). XII, (4), 142, (4) pp., 104 plates. With numerous printed and photographic illustrations in the text. Contemp. green marbled half leather with giltstamped title to spine. Upper edge gilt. First edition; unnumbered copy. Meticulously produced standard work on Islamic book art, of which 375 numbered copies were issued. Part one by Adolf Grohmann, based on the famous collection of Archeduke Rainer (today in the Austrian National Library), covers the early Islamic period from the 7th to the 12th century. Part two by Thomas W. Arnold covers the 13th to the 18th century, arranged by regions. - Occasional slight brownstaining and foxing to lower edge; spine insignificantly scuffed. Altogether a fine copy. The English edition, published simultaneously with the German, sold for £2,600 at Sotheby's (Oct 14, 1999, lot 53: Burrell copy). - OCLC 13055751.