THE ADVENTURES OF HAJJI BABA OF ISPAHAN

NY: Random House, 1937. (USA) First of this edition, the novel first appeared in 1824. No markings, some rubbing to spine extremities and to cover corner tips, sight darkening of the spine, hinges solid, pages clean with slight toning to page edges, about Very Good overall; lacking the dust jacket. Coloured illustrated cloth [404]pp. colour illustrated plates, facing p 40, 56, 120, 168,200, 232,288,328,360384,augmented by many line drawings in the text. The book was designed by Baldridge, printed and bound by THe Haddon Craftsmen in Camden NJ; Richard Ellis , typographer; the colour illustrations reproduced in offset by the Zeese-Wilkinson Co. in Long Island City. Foreword by Christopher Morley. It is almost hard to believe the the changing sentiment to Persia in Morier's day to now. Even in the 1930, the Persia of Hajji Baba had all but diappeared. For one example, to do reasearch in Iran for his illustrations Baldridge had to get a special permit from the Shah's own Commissioner of Police. There were a few "roadblocks" put in his way and his sketches of women were almost confiscated. JAMES JUSTINIAN MORIER (1780-1849) served as the British ambassador to the court of Persia from 1810 to 1816. He is also remembered for his memoir A Journey through Persia, Armenia and Asia Minor to Constantinople in 1808. The Adventures of Hajji Baba of Ispahan was first published in 1824 and is the most popular of his novels set in Persia. The Persian minister to England sent his government's protests against this novel. The novel was extremely popular and remained in print for almost 100 years. It was made into a hit movie in 1954 starring John Derrick. (3.7 JM 0419 . 1st. Hardcover. Very Good (-)/Lacking the Dustjacket. Illus. by BALDRIDGE, Cyrus LeRoy. 4to - over 9¾ - 12" tall.