The Oriental Moralist, or the Beauties of the Arabian Nights Entertainments. Translated from the Original, and Accompanied with Suitable Reflections Adapted to Each Story. By the Reverend Mr. Cooper

[JOHNSON, Richard]

Published by Printed by Samuel Bragg, Jr. for Wm. T. Clap, Boston, Dover, [NH], 1797

About this Item

12mo. [xiv], 232, [1, blank], [1, bookseller's advertisement] pp. [A]6 B-U6 W6( W6, blank). Contemporary sheep, red morocco spine label; covers rubbed, title-page stained and damaged with old crude thread stitch repair, textblock toned, worn and frayed throughout, occasional tears and areas of loss, portion of text from N6 torn away, still a sturdy, serviceable copy The FIRST AMERICAN EDITION of the first English translation of the Arabian Nights for young readers, a bowdlerized version of nineteen tales that includes Aladdin and Sinbad the Sailor. The hack writer and printer Richard Johnson (ca.1733-1793) translated and cleaned up these tales from an unnamed French edition, presumably Galland's. In his preface (signed "J. Cooper"), Johnson notes that he has "carefully expunged everything that could give least offence to the most delicate reader." An additional guarantee of decency is Johnson's ecclesiastical pseudonym ("the Reverend Mr. Cooper"). Johnson s adaptation was first published in an illustrated edition by Elizabeth Newbery in London, ca.1790. Both the London edition and this first American edition are rare on the market and uncommon in institutional holdings.PROVENANCE: early ink signature of Levi Palmer to front pastedown.REFERENCE: Evans 31743; ESTC W6753 (7 copies); Osborne, p. 583 (for first London edition). Seller Inventory # 307

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Oriental Moralist, or the Beauties of ...

Publisher: Printed by Samuel Bragg, Jr. for Wm. T. Clap, Boston, Dover, [NH]

Publication Date: 1797

Signed: Signed by Author(s)

Edition: First American edition.