April 19, 2009
EXCEEDINGLY RARE, possibly unique surviving copy, of a highly important Armenian Work.
The Father of modern Armenian Geography- in splendid contemporary color
Gkukas Inchichian. [Title in Armenian; i.e. Great Epic] (1st vol.) [1 blank], [1], [260 pp.]; (2nd vol.) [1], [14]. 2 vols in 1., small 8vo., 14 x 9 cm., numerous vignettes, 17 full page plates, 1 large folding plate., 14 plates of flags. Venetik [Venice], Printed in the Armenian monastery of St. Lazurus, 1813-1815. Complete, corresponding to plate list at rear., Full contemporary calf and gilt, slight buckling to spine, overall an exceptional copy with many plates coloured (including the large folding plate) in a fine contemporary hand. Extremely Rare. No copies at auction in 30 years of the American auction records. No Copies listed in OCLC, COPAC, or British Library.
A beautiful and very important book, written in Armenian Grabar. Gkukas Inchichian was the father of modern Armenian Geography. “These and related books by Mkhitarist authors helped revive the deep attachment within the people for their homeland and forged a sentiment of national identity.” [$12,500]
[Ref: Agop J. Hacikyan, Gabriel Basmajian, Edward S. Franchuk et al., The Heritage of Armenian Literature: From the Eighteenth Century to Modern Times. Wayne State University Press, 2005]
