Histoire de Saladin, Sulthan d’Egypte et de Syrie, avec une…

2 vols., 12mo (164 × 93 mm.), pp. [vi], xxiv, 464, [2]; [vi], 518, [2], (p. 514 mispaginated), with 3 folding maps. First few pages of volume 2 slightly stained at head not affecting title. Contemporary mottled calf, red and brown morocco labels, scrolling gilt pattern to spine, sprinkled red edges, marbled endpapers. Labels chipped with slight loss, headcaps a little chipped. A good set.

First edition of Marin’s accomplished Middle Eastern history, a work which was widely-read and influential in the emerging orientalism in French culture. This was Marin’s first truly succesful work and provided him with a literary reputation strong enough for him to be appointed Royal censor. The title was also published in the same year in the Hague by N. van Daalen. The maps depict Jerusalem, the crusader city of Acre (taken by Saladin in 1187) and the region of Acre. Atabey 768.