This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/13/2021
RIDLEY, James Kenneth (“Charles Morell”) (1736-1765). The Tales of the Genii: or, The Delightful Lessons of Horam, The Son of Asmar. London: J. Wilkie, 1766. 2 volumes, 8vo. 14 engraved plates after Anthony Walker (1726-1765). Full vellum, 2 crimson morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, remainder elaborately tooled in gilt, marbled endpapers (tiny chipping to labels, slight bowing to covers). Provenance: Syston Park (engraved bookplate); ink library notation to front flyleaf in Vol. I of Sir John Hayford Thorold (1773-1831). Third edition of Ridley’s imaginative tale that was falsely said to have been transcribed from a Persian manuscript, but it was the author capitalizing on the popular 18th century imitation Orientalia. The title was met with great reception, going through seven editions, and was even compared to Samuel Johnson’s most creative work Rasselas. From the private library of a prominent Chicago collector, part II.