"CURRENT EVENTS IN THE EAST ARE THE CONSEQUENCE OF REVOLUTIONS THAT SHOOK THAT PART OF THE WORLD MANY CENTURIES AGO": LAVALLÉE'S HISTORY OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE, WITH 18 FINE STEEL-ENGRAVED PLATES

LAVALÉE, Théophile. Histoire de l'Empire Ottoman. Paris: Garnier Frères, 1855. Quarto, contemporary three-quarter black morocco, elaborately gilt-decorated spine, raised bands, marbled endpapers and edges. $1600.

First edition of this history of the Ottoman Empire, with 18 steel-engraved plates by Allom, Bentley, Salmon, and Leitch, including a striking frontispiece view of Istanbul. Handsomely bound.

Lavallée's history of the Ottoman Empire covers the rise of one of the largest and most powerful empires the world has ever seen, from ancient beginnings through the birth of Islam to the reign of Abdülmecid I, who carried out his father's modernizing reforms of the Empire. Illustrated with 18 steel-engraved plates bound at rear, depicting such subjects as views of Constantinople, the Bosphorus coast of the Black Sea, Jerusalem and Smyrna; an audience with a Sultan; Mahmud girding himself with the Sword of Osman at the the Mosque of Eyub; the interior of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher; and more. Text in French. Armorial bookplate. Small inkstamps to title page, recto of rear free endpaper.

Scattered light foxing; minor marginal soiling to first few leaves and last few plates. Inner paper hinges expertly reinforced. Light rubbing to cloth boards; a few tiny holes to rear board. Extremely good condition.