THE BIRTH, LIFE AND ACTS OF KING ARTHUR OF HIS NOBLE KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE, THEIR MARVELLOUS ENQUESTS AND ADVENTURES, THE ACHIEVING OF THE SAN GREAL AND IN THE END LE MORTE D'ARTHUR WITH THE DOLOUROUS DEATH AND DEPARTING OUT OF THIS WORLD OF THEM ALL    

SIR THOMAS MALORY - ILLUSTRATED BY AUBREY BEARDSLEY

Published in London by J M Dent, 1893 in a limited edition of 1500 copies. First edition thus. Complete in 2 volumes, with wonderful plates by Aubrey Beardsley collated complete and as called for. Bound in the original gilt illustrated decorative boards. Outer fore-hinge appears to have been glued back in place, with chipping to the spine ends. Some soiling and marking to the covers, small hole to the mid spine on v2. Inner hinges a little shaky, but holding. Please note that in volume 1 the upper corners are torn from pp377-404 (as shown), though not affecting the text, as well as a small stab mark from the rear cover through the outer margins of the last 100 pages or so, again not affecting the text. Prev owner's plates to the front blanks (The American stockbroker, William Forbes Morgan (1841-1916) and the British journalist and literary critic, Clement K Shorter (1857-1926)). Blocks sound, with edges untrimmed. Frontispiece to each of the volumes with some offsetting to the title pages. Includes 16 full-page and four double-page illustrations by Beardsley. as well as many borders. This was Beardsley's first major commission and is considered one of the great illustrated books of the turn of the century. Good overall. 

Limitations page states 'This edition of Le Morte D'Arthur is limited to 300 Copies of Dutch Hand made paper and 1500 ordinary copies, after printed which the type has been distributed.'

Title page continues "The Text as written by Sir Thomas Malory and imprinted by William Caxton at Westminster the year MCCCLXXXV and now spelled in modern style. With an introduction by Professor Rhys and embellished with many original designs by Aubrey Beardsley." 

"In Le Morte d'Arthur Beardsley learnt his job, but the result is no bungling student's work. If he had never illustrated another book, this edition of Morte d'Arthur could stand as a monument of decorative book illustration" (Lewis). In 1892, seeking to emulate the books of the Kelmscott Press, John M. Dent commissioned the 20-year-old Beardsley to produce this edition, work that took the young artist 18 months to complete. The book was issued in 12 parts in wrappers, with the purchaser given the choice of sending it back to Dent, who bound them in vellum, in cream cloth case-binding with gilt blocking designed by Beardsley, or as in this case, to a binder of their own. 

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MY GRADINGS

New: A new book, never used.

As New (AN): Although a used book, it should appear unread with no flaws, just as when it was sold new.

Fine (F): Should have no flaws, a perfect copy of a used book. Mint: Another term for Fine.

Near Fine (NF): May show a small flaw, such as shelf wear, but nearly perfect and unread.

Very Good (VG): The broadest category for used books, this describes any average used book. May have small flaws, and has probably been read, but should appear overall clean and attractive.

Good (G): Will probably have significant wear or damage, although is still intact. Suitable for reading, but not necessarily a good gift copy. The old saying in bookselling is "good ain't good."

Fair: Another term for Poor or Reading Copy: Heavily worn or damaged, a poor book will be readable but not attractive. Binding Copy: This may or may not be the complete pages of the book, but the binding has been broken or damaged to the point it will need professional rebinding

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