1824 Rare Book - The Tales of the Genii or the Delightful Lessons of Horam, The Son of Asmar

A richly bound Orientalist classic, blending moral allegory and Persian fantasy in a striking early 19th-century form.

Author: Sir Charles Morell (pseudonym of James Ridley).
Title: Tales of the Genii. Translated from the Persian by Sir Charles Morell. With Memoirs of the Author.
Publisher: London, Printed for C. & J. Rivington; & Cie., 1824.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 5 x 3 inches.
Pages: ix, 480 pages.
Binding: Very good, near fine contemporary full black morocco binding, richly gilt and decorated with intricate blind-stamped geometric patterns on the covers; spine finely gilt with title “Tales of the Genii”; hinges sound; light scuffing consistent with age; all edges gilt; protected in a removable mylar cover.
Content: Good, tight and complete; light foxing, staining, and toning throughout; small old bookseller’s stamp to the first endpaper; remains an attractive and well-preserved copy.
Illustrations: Complete with engraved frontispiece and illustrated title page, both depicting evocative Persian-themed scenes.

Estimate: (USD 200–250).

The book: Tales of the Genii is a celebrated collection of allegorical narratives, presented as translations from ancient Persian manuscripts but in reality imaginative creations shaped by 18th-century literary taste. Rich in Eastern mysticism, adventure, and moral reflection, the tales weave together fantasy and instruction in a manner that captivated contemporary readers. This 1824 edition, dedicated to His Royal Highness George, Prince of Wales, reflects the enduring British fascination with the “Orient,” offering stories such as The Life of Horam and The Talisman of Oromanes. Both entertaining and didactic, the work stands as a fine example of early Orientalist literature.

The author: Sir Charles Morell is the pseudonym of James Ridley (1736–1765), an English clergyman and writer. By presenting his work as a translation from Persian sources, Ridley lent it an air of exotic authenticity that appealed strongly to his audience. Though entirely original, his tales successfully evoke the tone and spirit of Eastern storytelling traditions, securing their place within the broader context of 18th-century imaginative literature.