The Life of Sir Richard F Burton

Additional information

The most intimate Burton biography First edition, two volumes, complete with all 36 illustrations, in contemporary half crushed morocco over blue marbled boards, some gilt tooling, corners & edges brushed. Spines, raised bands, gilt tooling & titles, edges rubbed. Internally; Vol 1, half title, frontis, [7], (viii-xxiii), [1], [2], [1], 2-606 pp, 23 illustrations (some coloured), small binders stamp to verso fep (Pawson & Nicholson), Vol 2, half title, frontis, [5], (vi-viii), [1], [1], [1], 2-664 pp, 13 illustrations. Green marbled endpapers, t.e.g., 1 smaller illustration within text in each vol, unobtrusive embossed stamp on title pages and beyond, library label to fpds (Helen Kate Furness free library). A handsome and clean set. (225*143 mm). (Penzer 308-11). Burton's personal diary was the foundation of Isabel's controversial biography. In reading it one may presume her correct in stating that while others would lay down what he -wrote and said-, she in turn would be the only one who could write down what he -thought and did-. The great bulk of the text within these 2 volumes are entries taken directly from RFB's journals and not printed before Isabel selected the passages she wished to incorporate into her life of Burton. An important source of Burton's thoughts, this scarce book also reveals the values and perceptions of Isabel herself.