The Laṭā'if al-ma'ārif of Tha'ālibī — 1st Edition

£65.00

The Laṭā'if al-ma'ārif of Tha'ālibī — 1st Edition

Name: The Laṭā'if al-ma'ārif of Tha'ālibī — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6167
Price: 65.00 GBP
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The Laṭā'if al-ma'ārif of Tha'ālibī: The Book of Curious and Entertaining Information, Tha'ālibī — 1st Edition

Publication: Edinburgh, Edinburgh University Press, 1968.

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [xiii], 164.

Condition Report: Near Fine. The olive-green cloth binding remains notably sharp and tightly bound, with the gilt title cartouche on the upper board and spine lettering exceptionally bright and unoxidised. The board corners are sharp and free of bumping, while the spine ends exhibit only the most negligible shelf-wear. Internally, the text block is securely set with no lean, and the pages are remarkably clean, crisp, and free from foxing or spotting, retaining a bright, fresh quality throughout. The unclipped dust jacket (priced 70s net) is in similarly excellent condition; it retains its vibrant original colouring without fading, showing only minimal, superficial rubbing to the head of the spine panel and a very faint, unobtrusive surface mark to the rear panel. A superior, highly collectable copy.

Catalogue Note: This is the first English translation of Tha'ālibī's eleventh-century Arabic compendium, translated with an extensive introduction and notes by the distinguished orientalist C.E. Bosworth. A pristine example, this true first edition (indicated by the 1968 copyright and lack of subsequent printing history) retains its original unclipped dust jacket.

While copies of this foundational scholarly translation occasionally surface on the open market, they are becoming increasingly scarce in such sharp, well-preserved condition, making this a desirable acquisition for collectors of Islamic history and classic Arabic literature.

A fascinating eleventh-century Arabic compendium compiled by the Persian scholar Tha'ālibī, this work serves as an "Islamic Self-Help" manual, originally designed for students, secretaries, and officials. It offers a wide-ranging, encyclopaedic miscellany of didactic instruction, curious facts, and entertaining anecdotes regarding poets, leaders, tribal lineages of the Quraish, and the unique specialities of different lands. Translated into English for the first time by C.E. Bosworth, it provides an invaluable and highly engaging window into the intellectual and cultural landscape of the medieval Islamic world.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Tha'ālibī

Book Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: History

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 164

Book Publication Year: 1968

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Alva, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.