From the Library of Vittorio Emanuele III, King of Italy

Lukach [later Luke], Harry Charles. The City of Dancing Dervishes and Other Sketches and Studies from the Near East.

€ 2,800.00

First edition of this study of Sufi practice in Eastern Anatolia, Northern Iraq and Cyprus. From the library of Vittorio Emanuele III, King of Italy, extensively underlined and marked by the king with the inscription "Villa Savoia - 21.2.15" to last page; shelfmark label of the royal library to spine. The king terminated this book only three months before Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary, de facto entering WWI. Villa Savoia was first purchased by the house of Savoy in 1872. Subsequently sold to count Telfner, the royal family's financial administrator, Villa Savoia, which in the meanwhile had been renamed Villa Ada (as it is still known today) after Telfner's wife, was purchased back in 1904 by Vittorio Emanuele III, who admired its vast park and secluded location, making it perfect as a private retreat within Rome for the royal family, as well as a safe refuge during WWII (an elaborate bunker was built within the estate). In 1946 King Umberto II gifted the villa to Egypt, as a symbol of gratitude for the hospitality received during his and his father's exile; the villa now hosts the embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Some very light scattered foxing, but a very good copy. Rare.