Muchir Arif Pacha | Les Anciens Costumes de l'Empire Ottoman, 1863, coloured plates of Ottoman costume

Muchir Arif Pacha.

[Les Anciens Costumes de l'Empire Ottoman, depuis l'origine de la monarchie jusqu'a la reforme du Sultan Mahmoud. Paris: Lemercier, 1863]

FIRST EDITION, volume one only (all published), folio (530 x 380mm.), lithographic portrait of Arif Pacha by M. Julien, on india paper mounted, 16 colour-printed lithographed plates finished by hand after Arif, later blue morocco gilt in period style, without lithographic title found in some copies

THE RARE COLOURED ISSUE of this beautifully-illustrated survey of Ottoman costume.

Although the lithographic title (not present in this copy, as often) states "Tome 1er", no further volume was published. There were two issues: one at 80 francs with the plates printed in colours and finished by hand (as here), the second at 40 francs with tinted plates.

Arif Pasha fought against the Greeks at Athens and at Euboea (1826–1828), and in Syria against Mehmet Ali. His career included several missions for the Sultan and his appointment in 1861 as governor of the province of Silistria.

LITERATURE:

Atabey 30; Blackmer 43; Colas 1:148