Fine Bindings

Malory’s – Chronicles of King Arthur – 3 Volumes

Published by the Folio Society in 1982. Three volumes in original slipcase. Octavo, 292,348 and 262 pages. Blue cloth covered bindings decorated in red and gold. A super looking production.

Introductions and explanations by experts Sue Bradbury and Kevin Crossley-Holand and nice lino-cuts by Edward Bawden.

The Chronicles comprise … The Tale of King Arthur; Sir Tristam de Lyonesse and The Morte D’Arthur.

The legendary tales were first put down in one place by George of Monmouth in the early thirteen century. In the fifteenth century Sir Thomas Malory produced the definitive work completed in 1470, This was at the time Caxton really got going with his printing press so Malory’s work was destined to be promoted and preserved. Naturally, the language and expression of Malory’s writing reflects the period and “modern” writers have edited the text to be readable nowadays.

What would King Arthur think of a boxed set?

$140.00

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The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam – Trans Edward Fitzgerald

A Folio Society production from 1970. Their usual lavish production works well in this case – we are not always a fan.

Edward Fitzgerald had a couple of goes at translating The Rubaiyat – this is his first and best we think.

Tall octavo, unpaginated, 75 verses after introductions and a page of helpful notes at the end. Nicely, artistically, illustrated by Virgil Burnett. Decorative end paper, gilt and silvered ornate pattern over red cloth covered boards, gold paper covered custom slipcase.

A nice and attractive Rubaiyat that would make a super gift.

$40.00

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The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyan – Peter Pauper Press

A lovely little production by the superb Mount Vernon, Peter Pauper Press printed delightfully on rag paper.

The Edward Fitzgerald translation illustrated by Jeff Hill. No date but likely 1970′s

Unpaginated but 62 pages with 9 full page illustrations, the verses printed crisply within decorative borders. Decorated paper covered boards the design of which carries over to the dust jacket. Very good condition albeit a little ageing to the jacket.

The Rubaiyat should require no introduction .. every library should have several versions of which this a special one.

The Rubaiyat by the special Peter Pauper Press.

$40.00

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Covent Garden Drollery: Printed at The Whitefriars Press for the Fortune Private Press 1927

A seriously special book. Octavo, vi,2,123pages bound in quarter cloth over paper boards, in pictorial speckled paper dust jacket. Illustrated frontispiece, facsimile title from 1672 first, decorated with vignettes. A lovely reprint of the original work. Couldn’t be a better copy.

Subtitled .. A Collection of all the Choice Songs, Poems, Prologues and Epilogues, Sung and Spoken at Courts and Theaters, never printed before. Written by the refined’st Witts of the Age. And collected by A.B. With explanatory notes at the end. Edited by Montague Summers (1880-1948) author and clergyman, who wrote on the occult.

This book is numbered 342 of a limited number of 575 copies. All printed on English unbleached handmade paper … absolutely lovely paper.

Drollery from the past still amusing in the present and beautifully presented

$70.00

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D.H. Lawrence and the Body Mystical – Frederick Carter – First Edition 1932

An unusual book on aspects of Lawrence’s thinking and a fine production, printed in “Private Press Style” published by Denis Archer, London.

Largish octavo format, 63 pages with extra blanks. Frontispiece of D.H. Lawrence by the author who was a skilled etcher. Printed on sumptuous Japan Vellum. Bound quarter black cloth over lightly marbled paper covered boards. Design, partly in gilt to front with titles, gilt titles to spine. A little rubbed at the corners and a slight stain to one of the rear blanks otherwise a very good copy.

Frederick Carter (1885-1967) knew D.H. Lawrence very well … Lawrence would stay with Carter at his house in Shropshire. There they would share and develop their views on humanity. It was a time in Lawrence’s life that he was concerned with his health and the English cold and damp. He craved warmer climes. One of his favourite if not most favourite places was Mexico where he saw something unusual and special in the people.

Fine and worthwhile book on D.H. Lawrence by a man who knew him well.

$90.00

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Silver Mist – Joan Sutherland – First Edition 1935

1935 first edition with a lovely art deco inspired dust jacket. Published by Cassell, London etc, octavo, 287 pages. A ripple to the front board and the odd spot on page edges, really a very good copy in a super dust jacket.

A romance but with some heat. Penelope falls for Sir Garth. The good looking Garth (they both are) is cited in a divorce 1930’s style. The case failed but Sir Garth was left with the stigma (nothing’s changed there). Lady Olivia is a pursuer but maybe Penelope has some tricks in store.

1935 First Edition by the much admired Sutherland.

$50.00

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Malory’s – Chronicles of King Arthur – 3 Volumes

The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam – Trans Edward Fitzgerald

The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyan – Peter Pauper Press

Covent Garden Drollery: Printed at The Whitefriars Press for the Fortune Private Press 1927

D.H. Lawrence and the Body Mystical – Frederick Carter – First Edition 1932

Silver Mist – Joan Sutherland – First Edition 1935

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