Antique Book 1st Edition US THE LIGHT OF ASIA Buddhism EDWIN ARNOLD 1879 Gautama

HISTORY: The first edition of the book was published in London in July 1879; this is the first US edition. Prior to this book's publication, very little was known outside Asia about the Buddha and Buddhism. Arnold's book was one of the first successful efforts to popularize Buddhism for a Western readership.

DETAILS/CONDITION: Covers show wear, including: rubbing to extremities & scuffs. Gilt detail on front cover and spine. Top edge gilt. Marginalia on fly leaf. Front hinge cracked. Signatures are slightly loose. One of Arnold's poems pasted on back fly leaves. Toning, foxing. Pages are otherwise crisp and clean.