History Of The ImâMs And Seyyids Of 'OmâN. From A.D. 661-1856; Translated From The Original Arabic, And Edited, With Notes, Appendices, And An Introduction, Continuing The History Down To 1870 With A Map. SALÎL-IBN-RAZÎK; Badger, George Percy, Trans.

First edition of this important work; although well represented institutionally, it is extremely scarce on the market and is particularly distinguished by its map, which was especially produced to include correct Arabic place names. Badger's editorial comments account for the first 140 pages of the book; they include a masterly digest of the relative merits of the texts concerning Oman left by various sources. Badger (1815-1888) was an Arabic scholar and missionary. In the early 1840s he was the emissary of the Bishop of London to the Nestorians, and in 1852 published The Nestorians and their Rituals, " both an informative travelogue and a sourcebook for 'Nestorian' history, doctrine, and ritual" (ODNB). From 1845 to 1862 he was chaplain to the diocese of Bombay, serving mostly in Bombay, "where from 1854 he played a key role in British dealings with the local Arab tribes In 1856-7 he accompanied the campaign of General Sir James Outram in Persia, and in 1860 he served on the commission sent to Oman, which brought about the secession of Zanzibar. The Omani ruler Sayyid Thuwayni gave him the manuscript of Salil b. Raziq's chronicle, which he later translated and published as the History of the Imâms and Seyyids of 'Omân (1871); his notes in particular proved of lasting value" (ibid.). Macro 450; Wilson p. 12. Octavo. Library binding of moderate greenish blue cloth, gilt-lettered spine, pale yellow endpapers. Large folding map frontispiece with inset map of Muscat and Matrah and wood engraved view of Muscat; genealogical tables to the text. Typed slip of one John Callow (1953) mounted on title page verso. Spine a little sunned, title page and following leaf chipped at fore edge, a few discreet repairs to map. A very good copy, clean and sound.