Lane (1801-1876) trained as an engraver, but ill health prompted him to learn Arabic and visit Egypt. Disguised as a Turk, he amassed copious notes and sketches for what would become his bestselling work. Lane’s original manuscripts and drawings are in the British Library and the Griffiths Institute at the University of Oxford. This copy of the work is offered together with an almost complete set of proof illustrations for the edition: of 128 illustrations, 126 are present, together with a further two that do not feature in the book (missing are illustrations at pp. 11 and 52 of volume I).