Sa'di.

First edition in French, 8vo (156 x 97mm.), woodcut ornament to title, head-pieces and initials, contemporary sheep, gilt border to sides, flat spine gilt, [Brunet V, 25; not in Ghani, Wilson or Atabey], without final blank, light spotting, binding slightly worn with some loss to spine, corners and edges

Gigault de la Favière, 1768 (signature on title); Colegio de Neustra Señora de Gaudalupe, Lima (blind stamp to title); Jules Becker, ink stamp on preliminary blank

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Very rare. The first European translation of selections of Sa'di's Gulistan to appear in print, of which we can trace no record at auction in over 40 years. The Gulistan (or Golestan) is 'probably the single most influential work of prose in the Persian tradition, completed in 1258 by Mosarref-al-Din Mosleh, known as Shaikh Sa'di of Shiraz.' (Encyclopaedia Iranica). This and later translations established Sa'di's reputation among Western writers and inspired La Fontaine, Diderot, Voltaire, Renan, Herder and Goethe. The translator, André du Ryer was a French Orientalist and consul in the Levant, notably at Alexandria and Constantinople. He returned to France in 1630 and became royal interpreter in oriental languages. Ryer also published a Turkish grammar in 1630 and a translation of the Qur'an in 1647; he also wrote a Turkish-Latin dictionary which survives in manuscript.