Antique Book: Gulistan Or The Empire Of Roses 1737 Persia

Beautiful copy of this famous work by the 13th century Persian poet Saadi: Gulistan or the Empire of Roses, "treatise on the morals of kings by Musladini Saadi, prince of Persian poets" published by Prault Père in Paris in 1737, André du Ryer, French orientalist is the first to have given a French version of this text, but this is the second translation, that of Alègre which completes that of André Du Ryer which was very incomplete.
Work in two parts, very complete in one volume, with as an introduction a life of the author.
Superb period binding in full red morocco, triple frame of gilt fillets on the covers, richly decorated smooth spine, marbled paper guards and gilt roulettes on the inside covers, gilt edges. A trace of dampstain crosses the first cover, browned as a result, a slight crack at the bottom of the first joint, without gravity however, the binding is quite compact and solid. Interior in excellent condition without dampstains.
A work of great wisdom, the Golestan (or Gulistan according to the translations) deals with the majority of the problems suffered by humanity, with a little spice of subtle satire and aimed at advising princes and sovereigns. Some verses are also taken up at the entrance to the headquarters of the United Nations in New York:
"Men are members of one another,
and all created of the same material,
if one member is afflicted the others feel it:
He who is not touched by the evil of others does not deserve to be called a man."

In-12 (16.5cm high), xl (2ff.) 310pp. (1ff. privilege of the king)