Morier, James

The Adventures of Hajji Baba of Ispahan [and] The Adventures of Hajji Baba of Ispahan in England

London: John Murray, 1824, 1828. First Edition. Boards. "Adventures of Hajji Baba": 3 vols.  1st edition of the first peek into Persia, and the best ever capturing of it, in that time, fact or fiction.  1st issue with the dedication to Dr. Fundgruben intact.  Original boards, sympathetically rebacked with identical gray paper, original paper labels laid down (vol. I label 70% chipped, vol. III label with a smaller chip), owner’s name on paste downs, else fine.  With a custom 1/4 morocco box. "Hajji Baba of Ispahan in England": 2 vols.  1st edition of the sequel.  Original boards and paper labels, joints worn but holding, spine tips chipped, owner’s name in pencil to title pages, still very good and unrepaired. Near fine. Item #34

At a pressing point of British colonial power, the Crown established a mission in Persia with an 1809 treaty of alliance. In 1810 they sent James J. Morier as Secretary of Embassy, and from 1814 to 1816 he served as Chargé d’Affaires. The choice was a brilliant one. Sir James observed without appearing to do so, represented Britain while seeming a fair arbiter, advanced their interests under the pretext of cooperation, made his presence digestible by adopting Qajar Persian customs, stayed quieter than a painting on a wall, and came away with an essential grasp of the culture, and an insight into the regime, not visible even to the natives. He returned home, published reports, and accounts of his travel, and then this novel, which he coyly disconnected from by presenting the picaresque narrative as merely his translation of the coming of age autobiography of one Hajji Baba, a wholly fictional, Candide like, character. In the charade, Hajji Baba tells the tale of his rise from poverty to become the Shah of Persia’s emissary to Britain, but when he’s recalled in disgrace, and possibly execution, he entrusts the diary of his life to Morier as his chosen facilitator for publication. It’s an adventure to be sure, drawing splendid character portraits, and descriptions, but it’s a satirical one, ridiculing Persian society as violent, the culture as scandalously dishonest and decadent, and the people as rascals, cowards, fools, and puerile villains.

Price: $2,200.00