First and only edition of a history of Islam, with a remarkable handwritten note by the Dutch orientalist Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje (1857-1936). Published as volume 32 of the series Monographien zur Weltgeschichte, the work gives an overview of the history of Islam from its origins to the nineteenth century and is illustrated with numerous photographic reproductions of Islamic art, architecture, manuscripts, and people.
The present copy was apparently offered to Snouck Hurgronje in 1917, but returned by him with a handwritten note explaining why he did not wish to read it. In the note, he argues that everything written in Germany on Islam since July 1914 had been distorted by the political relationship between Germany and Turkey, and recommends only reading German works on the subject published before that date. Mann's work was apparently published after.
With a manuscript note on card by Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje (1857-1936), dated 19 May 1917, tipped in at the front of the work, and several ownership annotations by J. de Tombe and G. S. van Koningsveld on the recto of the first title page. The binding shows traces of use, especially at the spine ends. An occasional stain on the leaves, page 7-10 are detached, but still present. Otherwise in good condition. WorldCat 902340384, 926020507, 636567486.