[THE MOST ATTRACTIVE EDITION OF RUSTAVELI'S THE KNIGHT IN THE PANTHER'S SKIN] Peleng derisi gejmis pehlivan. [i.e. The knight in the panther's skin]. Translated by S. Vurgun, M. Rahim, S. Rystem. Ills. by A. Khaliqovundur, I. Toidzenindir.

SHOTA RUSTAVELI, (1166-1250)., SSRI Elmler Aqademijasi Azerbajçan Filiali Taarix, Dil ve Edebijat Institutu - Azerbajçan Dovlet Neshrijati, Baku, 1937.

First Azerbaijani and one of the most attractive editions ever of the Medieval Georgian poet Rustaveli's magnum opus. He is considered to be the pre-eminent poet of the Georgian Golden Age and one of the greatest contributors to Georgian literature. Vepkhist'q'aosani [i.e. The knight in the panther's skin] is a Georgian medieval epic poem, written in the 12th century by Georgia's national poet Shota Rustaveli. A definitive work of the Georgian Golden Age, the poem consists of over 1600 Rustavelian Quatrains and is considered to be a "masterpiece of the Georgian literature". Until the early 20th century, a copy of this poem was part of the dowry of every bride. Although the poem takes place in the fictional settings of "India" and "Arabia", events in these distant lands are but a colorful allegory of the rule of Queen Tamar of Georgia, and the size and glory of the Kingdom of Georgia in its Golden Age. It tells the friendship of two heroes, Avtandil and Tariel, and their quest to find the object of love, Nestan-Darejan, an allegorical embodiment of Queen Tamar. These idealized heroes and devoted friends are united by courtly love, generosity, sincerity, dedication, and proclaim equality between men and women, which is a recurring theme. The poem is regarded as the "coronation of thought, poetic and philosophical art of medieval Georgia", a complex work with rich and transcending genres. It has been described as "epic", "chivalric romance", "epic romance" and "an epic poem of lyric poetry." Queen Tamar was celebrated by poets for her beauty, intelligence, and diplomatic skills. She expanded the Georgian kingdom to its historical maximum, repulsed invasions, and established protectorates over many area Muslim and Christian lands. Under her reign, the economy prospered. Georgian trading caravans reached Ayyubid Egypt, the Kievan Rus, and the Byzantine Empire. Medieval science developed, and the largest monasteries and churches in Georgia were built. Secular literature developed to the point of equaling the greatest religious texts. Against the backdrop of this "remarkable growth", Shota Rustaveli composed his poem. Rustaveli, a Meskhetian from the south-western Georgian town of Rustavi, was close to Queen Tamar and possibly served as her treasurer. He likely participated in many military campaigns. The stories in his poem are set in faraway lands, but his allegorical representations of contemporaneous Georgia are recognizable. For instance, he refers to wine culture and a female king who became an heir of her father. The story can be divided into two parts: the first part is Avtandil's quest for Tariel, the titular "knight in the panther's skin", and the second part is Avtandil's quest for Nestan-Darejan, Tariel's love. (Source: Wikipedia).

Original decorative green cloth bdg. with parliament title lettered gilt on front board. Faded titles and decorations on spine. A very good copy. 4to. (30 x 22 cm). In Azerbaijani with Latin letters. 280, [4] p., richly and separately color and b/w plates. One of 4000 copies. OCLC 67975965.