Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - June - 2008 Issue
Voyages and Travels, to America and the World, from Helen Kahn
Very rare book about 14th century conqueror Tamerlane.
Item 72 is an important account of one of the earliest battles of the American Revolution: An Accurate and Interesting Account of the Hardships and Sufferings of that Band of Heroes, who traversed the Wilderness in the Campaign against Quebec in 1775. This rare book was published by John Joseph Henry for his children many years later, in 1812. Henry served under Benedict Arnold in his failed attempt to take Quebec, with the intention of hampering Britain's ability to subdue patriot forces in northern New York. While this campaign was a disaster, Arnold would later play a major role in the successful battle at Saratoga which prevented British forces from cutting off contact between the northern and southern colonies during the Revolution. However, in Quebec, the Americans did not have sufficient forces and were badly beaten by British defenders. Of course, all Americans note well that their one-time hero, Benedict Arnold, later turned traitor and served the British side after 1780. $550.
Item 39 is a very rare book, La Grand Tamerlan Par M. De Clavigny... Kahn notes that they have not been able to locate another copy of Jacques de Clavigny's 1683 book about the 14th century Persian leader. The latest reference we could find was a copy in the library of Arthur Dinaux in 1865. Tamerlane was noted for his conquests from Baghdad to India. At one point he went so far as to capture Moscow. Tamerlane took ill in 1405 and died while attempting an invasion of China. Along with the empire he created, he is noted as a patron of the arts, but also a very brutal mass murderer in lands he conquered. $2,850.
Helen R. Kahn and Associates may be reached at 514-844-5344 or hrk@hrkahnbooks.com. The website is www.hrkahnbooks.com.
