Together, 12 volumes, 8vo (253 x 157 mm). Half-titles, titles-pages and facsimile title-pages printed in red and black, 71 heliogravure plates after original oil paintings by Letchford, lettered tissue guards. (A touch of toning and light soiling, a few occasional light spots, a few short marginal tears.) Publisher’s half dark red morocco gilt, olive cloth, top edge gilt, others uncut and partially unopened (a few tiny stains to sides, slight wear to extremities, hinges reinforced and a few center gatherings starting to spring); together in original black morocco hinged casket with brass clasp and lock, lid gilt with Arabic inscription. Provenance: Peter White (“virtus omnia vincet” bookplates).

“Kamashastra edition,” a variation of “The Illustrated Library Edition” closest to Penzer’s Style C, differing only in that this edition is without gilt-decoration on the upper covers, the morocco case is black rather than olive green, and “Kamashastra Edition” is gilt-lettered to the spine in the tail compartment. A reprint of the original Kama Shastra Society edition for private subscribers only, this edition includes all original 16 volumes in 12 and, according to Smithers is “the most complete English edition of The Nights that can ever be published” (Editor’s Note, p. [vii]). Nichols commissioned Letchford, a friend of Burton, to paint 65 illustrations and a portrait of Burton (the frontispiece in vol. I) in 1896, later commissioning 5 more to ensure “sufficient” illustration of the tales according to Penzer (pp.118-119). Penzer, pp. 118-124; Spink 82.