Meretseger Books

Early Muslim architecture, Umayyads, early Abbasids & Tulunids. Part 1: Umayyads, A.D. 622-750. Part 2: Early Abbasids, Umayyads of Cordova, Aghlabids, Tulunids, and Samanids, A.D. 751-905 (complete set)

CRESWELL Keppel Archibald Cameron

Item #M7011

Exceptional set: first edition signed by the author, 1 of 500 copies of which this is number 300. The Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1932-40. Folio, vol. I: xxxix & 372 pages, 62 plates. Vol. II: xxvi & 415 pages, 122 plates. Original cloth, rubbed and very slightly stained, inside in fine condition. Creswell (1879-1974) was interested in eastern buildings and places from childhood. By 1910 he had become so drawn to Islamic architecture that he started collecting a library that was eventually to become one of the most comprehensive private collections of its kind. He was posted to Egypt during WW I and by July 1919 had been appointed (as an Army Captain) as Inspector of Monuments under General Allenby's Occupied Enemy Territory Administration in Palestine and Syria. He travelled extensively, making measured drawings and notes as well as recording the monuments photographically, producing nearly a thousand photographs. In May 1920 Creswell drew up a proposal for a History of the Muslim Architecture of Egypt. He intended this to be an exhaustive study of the subject. As well as detailed descriptions of individual monuments, bolstered with plans, drawings and photographs, there were also to be chapters on the development of certain features, such as minarets, domes and madrasas. He submitted the proposal to King Fuad I of Egypt, who recognised the importance of such a work and was an enthusiastic patron. The work proved to be even more monumental than Creswell had anticipated. Archaeological excavations had significantly increased the number of known monuments, and no draughtsman was made available to him. He undertook all the work without assistance. Five volumes had been published by 1969, totalling 1,769 pages, with a sixth volume in preparation but unpublished on his death in 1974. This massive work was split into two: Early Muslim Architecture (Volume I published in 1932; Volume II published in 1940; Volume I second edition in 1969) and The Muslim Architecture of Egypt (Volume I published in 1952; Volume II published in 1959). Language: English. Relevant subjects: Egypt: Medieval & Modern Egypt.

Language: English.

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