The Noble & Joyous Boke Entytled le Morte Darthur.

Malory, Syr Thomas

Published by Shakespeare Head Press and published by the Press for Basil Blackwell, Oxford, 1933

About this Item

4to. Two volumes. (4),xxviii,316;(4)273,(3)pp. One of 370 copies on handmade paper (of which 350 are for sale), this being copy number 171. Half brick-red morocco, cream-colored cloth sides. Printed in red and black throughout in Caslon type, with 22 woodcuts reproduced from Wynkyn de Worde's folio edition of 1498. The text is a careful reprint from de Worde's folio of 1498 from the unique copy in the Rylands Library, never before reprinted, and bridges the gap between Caxton's edition of 1485 (reproduced by Sommer and later printed in facsimile by Scolar), and Wynkyn de Worde's edition of 1529, on which most modern editions are based. Sommer remarks that the woodcuts reproduced from the DeWorde 1498 edition represent the first attempt ever made of illustrating a text throughout with engravings. As for the text, the few pages lacking in the Rylands copy have been supplied, and indicated by square brackets, from the Caxton edition. The woodcut illustratiosn in this copy have been hand-colored. We find no indication that the publisher offered a hand-colored edition, and so believe that a former owner commissioned them. They are delightful, colorful, and in keeping with the 15th century style. Gaines, A21. Seller Inventory # 21920

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Noble & Joyous Boke Entytled le Morte ...

Publisher: Shakespeare Head Press and published by the Press for Basil Blackwell, Oxford

Publication Date: 1933

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Fine

Edition: Limited edition.