P., P. G. Simon, etc, 1778.
3 vol. in-12, couverture muette, blank wrapper, 2 feuillet(s) non chiffré(s)-XVI-288 + 2 feuillet(s) non chiffré(s)-399 + 2 feuillet(s) non chiffré(s)-365 (1), 1 feuillet(s) non chiffré(s) [Bel ex., non rogné, tel que paru].
Dans la première moitié du Xe s. de l’hégire, sous le règne de Soliman 1er, l’Anwâr-i Suhailî de Husayn Wâ’iz Kâshifî (c’est à dire la version persane du livre de Kalîla et Dimna), fut trad. en turc par le müderris ‘Alâ’ al-Dîn ‘Alî Celebî b. Sâlih, connu sous le nom de Wâsi’ ‘Alîsi, ouvrage qu’il dédia au sultan et l’intitula, en raison de cette dédicace, Humâyûn-nâme (Le livre impérial). Une trad. avait été composée par le célèbre traducteur des Mille et une Nuits qui ne parut qu’après sa mort en 2 vol. (1724), complétée par Cardonne en 1778. Lukmân n’est évidemment pour rien dans la composition de l’Humâyûn-nâme. Par suite probablement d’une interpolation due à l’ignorance d’un copiste, ce nom devait se trouver dans le ms. que Galland avait sous les yeux. Quant à Bidpaï (ou Bidpay), c’est l’auteur supposé de l’original indien d’où dérive toutes les versions de Kalîla et Dimna.
First edition of this new edition of the fables, which were already appreciated by Jean de la Fontaine.
The translation had been started by Antoine Galland after the Turkish version prepared for Suleyman the Great in the 16th century.
Antoine Galland (1646-1715) was one of the best French orientalists and archaeologists of his time. Having received his education at the Collège de France he perfected his knowledge of oriental languages including Turkish, Arabic and Persian during his extensive travels to the Middle-East. In 1704 he started to work on his translation of the Mille et Une Nuits which today is still the standard translation. His contes et fables indiennes de Bidpai et de Lokman was published posthumously. Galland contributed to the famous Bibliothèque orientale and is also the author of a translation of the Qu’ran. The first edition of the incomplete translation was published by Jacques Riboud in 1724 in two 12° volumes. The work was taken on by the eminent French orientalist Denis Dominique Cardonne (1721-1783) who spent most of early life in Constantinople where he spent 20 years. On his return to France he became the King’s secretary and translator for oriental languages. His additions to the translation of Bidpai’s Fables date from 1750 and onwards after having received the Chair of oriental languages (Turkish and Persian) at the Collège Royal