The very first time this book was published was by William Caxton and if a book like this ever came up for auction, which it probably won't (the Caxton Edition) it would sell in the Millions of dollars. This edition is one of the finest in the William Morris tradition of using old paper making methods, old ink and type as well as faithfully reproducing the images. It is bound in two very nice leather bindings that are slightly sunned on the spine and some edge scuffing but otherwise this is a spectacular set. We are so happy that everyone was sleeping at the auction and so we picked this up for a reasonable price but clearly this is a book that is worth far more than what we paid for it. This is clearly a book that should be cared for and preserved as it will last 500 years plus! The binding, paper, printing and the overall feel of reading the old English out loud is spectacular. Don't miss this as the last copy sold by Christies was in 2005 and none have come up since, except this one. This copy is number 52 out of 350 copies.
Le Morte Darthur. (The Noble and Joyous Booke entyled Le Morte Darthur). William Caxton. Westminster, 31 July, 1485 is follwed by the 1498 Edition 'The Boke of Noble Kyng. Kyng Arthure Somtyme Kynge of Englande and His Noble Actes and Feates of armes of Chyvalrye, and His Noble Knyghtes and Table Rounde and is Deuyeded in to. XXI Bookes. Wynkyn de Worde, Westminster. 1498. This edition is an exact copy of that rare and unusual work that includes the wood cut engravings found throughout the text. The Elizabethan scholar A. H. Bullen established the Shakespeare Head Press in Stratford-up-Avon in 1904. His original aim was to produce a good edition of Shakespeare's works, and his ten volume Stratford Town Shakespeare was completed by 1907. After Bullen died in 1927, the press was acquired by a partnership including Basil Blackwell, the Oxford bookseller. Bernard Newdigate was appointed as typographer and under his direction the press worked within the Morris tradition: Ovid's Metamorphoses was the first book he produced as a limited edition.
Libraries worldwide that own item: 1
Title: The noble and joyous boke entytled le Morte Darthur ... Whyche boke was reduced in to Englysshe by the well dysposyd knyghte Syr Thomas Malory.
Author(s): Malory, Thomas, Sir, 15th cent.
Publication: Oxford : Printed at the Shakespeare Head Press and published by Basil Blackwell,
Year: 1933
Description: 2 v ; 4to.
Language: English
Document Type: Book
Entry: 19970201
Update: 20080517
Accession No: OCLC: 181668176
Database: WorldCat
Price: $1,800.00
