Beschreibung:

BECKFORD, William Thomas] [ Vathek ] An Arabian Tale from an unpublished manuscript with notes critical and explanatory , London: for J. Johnson 1786. 8° (title rather soiled, hole to lower margin of C2, C8 with large repaired tear affecting 2 letters of text, H1 holed with loss of one letter on recto, M3 R with repaired tear affecting 2 lines of text, marginal soiling and creasing), contemporary half calf and marbled boards (rebacked, preserving old spine). Provenance : "This book was given by Beckford (its author) to Lady Anne Hamilton who gave it to me," autograph note to front free endpaper signed "George Atkinson, Sergeant-at-Law, Executor of Lady Anne Hamilton " With a further note by Atkinson stating: "This book was given by Mr Serjeant Atkinson to Mr. Walter Scott ... 24th July 1876", and a note dated 1930 stating how the book had descended to different members of the Brind family. Bookplate of Roger Senhouse. THE UNAUTHORISED FIRST EDITION, translated by the Rev. Samuel Henley from Beckford's French manuscript -- and, on the evidence of Serjeant Atkinson's later inscription, a PRESENTATION COPY from Beckford to his daughter, Lady Hamilton. Henley had been asked not to publish his translation prior to the appearance of the original French version, but after the death of his wife in childbirth left Beckford deeply grief-stricken and inattentive, Henley gave up waiting and published his translation in the autumn of 1786. The original French text was published at Paris and Lausanne in the course of 1787.