Dictionnaire Français - Arabe - Persan et Turc,

Attractive copy of this early multi-lingual dictionary by Alexander Hangerli or Handjeri (1768-1854), Prince of Moldavia. He had been a successful linguist growing up and became a senior interpreter of the Ottoman Court before being ousted just a few months after his accession and spent the rest of his days in exile in the Russian Empire.

Handjeri started the work in 1806 upon the request of Armand Charles Guilleminot (1774-1840), ambassador to the Sublime Porte, who wanted a French dictionary that would aid French diplomats in the East. He completed the book in 1840 and dedicated it to the Russian Tsar Nicolas I, who had it published in the Russian Imperial Press. Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecid ordered 200 copies in his own name and sent a jewel-decorated box to Handjeri as a gift for his service to Turkish culture.

First edition; three volumes in one, 4to (30.5 x 25 cm); French, Arabic, Persian, and Turkish script, script, half-titles present, touch of water staining to last couple gatherings of first volume; contemporary half-calf, marbled boards, gilt lettering to spine in five compartments, board edges worn but still a very good attractive copy; iv, 992, [4, errata]; 659, [1, errata]; 806, [2, errata] pp.