![[ALI ABENCUSIAN, pseudonym of Miguel de LUNA]. VIEUX-MAISONS, [Gilles de Rainssant, Sieur de], translator.](/photos/322/main/full_322.jpg "[ALI ABENCUSIAN, pseudonym of Miguel de LUNA]. VIEUX-MAISONS, [Gilles de Rainssant, Sieur de], translator.")
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8vo (160 × 90 mm), pp. 174. Engraved vignette to title depicting a leopard and fire with the motto “igni non coeno”, typographical ornaments. Some spotting and light browning, small old repair to lower forecorner of title, not affecting any text. Nineteenth-century half calf, gilt panelled spine. Bookplate of E. Vignat, Mayor of Orléans and Dèputé of Lorient. A good copy.
First edition in French of the life of Almançor, the Arabic conqueror and ruler of Spain in the 10th century. It is translated from La verdadera historia del rey Rodrigo, en la cual se trata de la causa principal de la pérdida de España, y la conquista que della hizo Miramamolín Almançor Rey que fue del Africa, y de las Arabias, y vida del Rey Iacob Almançor written by the Moorish apologist Miguel de Luna and published in two parts (1592 and 1600). Although published as a translation from an Arabic manuscript it was almost certainly an original historical work by de Luna.
It is an important as a sympathetic account of the Moorish conquest of Spain and it offers numerous accounts of the humanity and cultivation of an Arabic prince. His pre-eminence in science and learning is dwelt upon and there is an interesting account of the formation of his vast library: he is said to have offered twice the market value for any book he found wanting from his collections. This rare French edition marks an early and interesting point in the emergent interest in the Arab world in France.
It is an important as a sympathetic account of the Moorish conquest of Spain and it offers numerous accounts of the humanity and cultivation of an Arabic prince. His pre-eminence in science and learning is dwelt upon and there is an interesting account of the formation of his vast library: he is said to have offered twice the market value for any book he found wanting from his collections. This rare French edition marks an early and interesting point in the emergent interest in the Arab world in France.
Not found in Worldcat or COPAC.
£500.00
