Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to El-Medinah and Meccah.

First Edition. Forbidden to non-Muslims, less than half a dozen Europeans were known to have made the hajj, or pilgrimage, to the Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Medina and lived, and of those only the Swiss explorer J. L. Burckhardt had left a detailed account. Burton made the pilgrimage in complete disguise as a Muslim native of the Middle East, an exploit of linguistic and cultural virtuosity which carried considerable risk. During the several days that Burton spent in Mecca, he performed the associated rites of the pilgrimage such as circumambulating the Kaaba, drinking the Zemzem water and stoning the devil at Mount Arafat. His resulting book surpassed all preceding Western accounts of the holy cities, made him famous and became a classic of travel literature.

3 volumes, 8vo. Contemporary deep red polished half calf, spines gilt in compartments, double green morocco labels, marbled sides and endpapers, top edges gilt; the third volume bound to match but using morocco in place of calf. With 15 full page illustrations, 6 of which are in colour, plus 2 fold out maps and 1 fold out diagrams. Bookplates of Frederick S. Peck in first two volumes. Volume I rebacked with the original spine laid down, Volume II, joints repaired, else a very good set.