Ancient accounts of India and China, by two Mohammedan travellers.

£4,500 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

Scarce. 'Sulaiman's works had a profound effect on many Arabic and Persian geographers and are of exceptional importance for the study of early Islamic trade. Sulaiman, an Andalusian Jew, probably based at Basra, made several voyages to China before 851. He visited the Maldives, Andaman Islands, Sri Lanka, Malacca, Saigon, Hainan, and Canton. Sulaiman's accounts were corroborated by the geographer Abu said Hasan of Siraf. They are also a source book for the settings of the tales of Sindbad' (Howgego). Renaudot's translation was first published in French in 1718. It is not known who translated the work into English. First English edition; 8vo, [xxxviii], 99, [1], 260, [12] pp., engraved title-page vignette, engraved tailpiece, scattered light foxing; later half morocco over marbled boards, red and green morocco labels, citron edges, a little rubbed and worn, a good copy. Cordier (Sinica), 1924; Howgego S20; Lust 299; Morrison I, 264.

• Binding: Hardcover

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