SOLD: Very Rare 1st Edition: “With the Pilgrims to Mecca – The Great Pilgrimage of 1902”

SOLD: “With the Pilgrims to Mecca – The Great Pilgrimage of 1902”

This is a rare first edition in the original green cloth that is decorated in gilt and red on spine and upper board with the designs of an amulet.

What makes this copy exceptional are the two library ink stamps from 1906 that show that this copy was presented as a gift to the Victorian State Parliamentary Library, Australia.

The near new condition of this copy leads us to believe that it was never read and must have been stored away from inquisitive eyes. We have over thirty years experience of handling antiquarian books and it is very unusual to see books that are over 100 years old in such remarkable condition.

This travel narrative first appeared as a series of articles in the Morning Post.

Written by Hadji Khan (the Post’s special correspondent) it provides a highly detailed description of Mecca and the Hajj.

There are twenty five amazing early photographs of the Hajj taken by Haji Khan who was a Persian Sufi visiting London where he met Wilfrid Sparrow, a correspondent for the Morning Post. They agreed that Hadji Khan would write notes about his Hajj and then work with Wilfrid Sparrow on this book.

Though the book was edited by a British writer (Wilfrid Sparroy), it is significant as an English-language account of the Hajj by a Muslim; a point picked up on by Ármin Vámbéry in his introduction:

“Christian travellers like Burkhard[sic], Burton, Maltzan … have exhausted the subject relating to the holy places of Islam, but a Mohammedan sees more and better than any foreigner“

You can see that a copy is available from a European antiquarian book dealer for 3,500 Euros.

Prices are negotiable within reason so please contact us if you wish to discuss an item that is of interest.

If you purchase more than one item, we will offer a discount and combine shipping.

Shipping will be at cost and the buyer is responsible for any import/export fees or taxes.

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