Journal of a residence in England,

A fine set of this rare narrative relating the journey of three Persian princes to England to appeal for the release of their father. The three princes were accompanied by Assad Yacoub Kayat who acted as their interpreter and guide, and translated the journal of Imam Qoli Mirza (i.e. Najaf Koolee Meerza) here along with providing a contemporary history of the civil war in Persia. The encounters of the Persian princes with life in England is particularly revealing and adds humour and levity to the otherwise fruitless tale.

Hossein Ali Mirza (i.e. Firman Firman), father of the three princes, was passed over for the crown when the Shah, Fath Ali (1769-1834), died and proclaimed the grandson of his first born, Mohammad Mirza, as his successor instead. The British came out in support of Mohammad Mirza and provided him an army with which he defeated his brothers and uncles including Hossein Ali at Isfahan. The three princes of Hossein Ali set forth from Baghdad in 1835 in order to travel to England and appeal to the British Government to convince Mohammad Mirza to release their father. Little did they know that Hossein Ali died in captivity shortly after their departure, and instead their journey allowed them time away from the dangers that faced them at home. After six months in England they returned to Baghdad overland through Europe. The eldest Reza Qoli Mirza, still a threat to Mohammad Mirza's rule, would return to England as an exile and spend his days a firm fixture of Queen Victoria's court. Assad Yacoub Kayat too, a Syrian Christian who had been working for the Consul-General in Beirut, would return to England and advocate for the understanding of Syria in Europe.

Rare to find in commerce and in such good condition.

First edition; 2 vols, 8vo (205 x 135 mm); facsimile letter in Vol. I, original blue blind-stamped cloth gilt, floral gilt centrepice to covers, light fade to spines, a fine set; xxiii, 306; [vi], 291 pp.

Ghani 273.