The lives of Ibn Sina, al-Suhrawardi, and Saadi

Sale, George / [J. Morgan]. The Lives and Memorable Actions of Many Illustrious Persons of the Eastern Nations, Such as Khalifas, Soltans, Wazirs, or Prime-Ministers, Generals, Philosophers, Poets, &c. [...].

€ 1,500.00

First edition. A curious biographical collection with an uncommon Middle Eastern focus that includes the lives of the Persian rulers, of the philosophers Ibn Sina (Avicenna) and al-Suhrawardi, of the poet Saadi, etc.

Our issue contains an "advertisement" (to the reader) facing the title-page which states that these translations were begun by George Sale, editor and translator of the Qur'an, and "compleated by a Gentleman who resided in Turky near twenty years". A second issue of this book, also published by Wilcox in 1739, contains instead a dedication, signed "J. Morgan", which states that though "The bookseller who purchased these loose papers [presumably Wilcox] fancies he has good grounds to believe they appertained to the late ingenious Mr. George Sale, ... yet not a syllable of this was his writing". Morgan claims responsibility for about a quarter of the work (see ESTC T147003, listing four copies only of this edition). The four pages of publisher's adverts at the rear are uncommon.

Corners just very slightly worn, leaf F1 is lightly browned. A very good, clean, tight copy.