Beowulf
New York: Limited Editions Club [printed by The Gallery Press], 1952. Ward, Lynd. Limited Edition. Hardcover. One of 1500 copies, folio size, 171 pp., with glassine, slipcase, and LEC Monthly Letter. Fine / very good. Item #26081802
Believed to be the earliest European vernacular epic poem, "Beowulf", although composed likely in the early 8th century CE, came to us today through a single manuscript dated ca. 1000 and was not put into print until 1815. However, the story continues to capture the minds and imaginations of generation after generation, with its themes of heroes, monsters, royal houses, and the ultimate death of Beowulf.
This publication by The Limited Editions Club with illustrations after lithographs by Lynd Ward (1905-1985), an artist best known for his "wordless novels", elaborately illustrated books often viewed as a precursor to the graphic novel.
As of this writing, this the only copy online with the original glassine jacket, the slipcase, and the LEC Monthly Letter.
___DESCRIPTION: Quarter navy blue cloth with decorative Swedish paper over boards, the shelfback decorated with a spear and stars in silver and the title in gilt, illustrated double-spread title page in brown, blue and black, lavishly illustrated with sixteen full-page three-colour illustrations (in addition to the title page) as well as decorations on almost every page, text in black with brown initial capital letters, commentary in blue, running title and page numbers in brown; monotype Janson on Ticonderoga Text paper, the Ward lithographs were printed via process offset, binding folio size (12 1/8" by 8 5/8"), pagination: [i-viii] ix-xv [1, blank] [1 -2] 1-152 [1, colophon], this no. 198 of 1500 copies. The book with the original glassine wrapper, housed in a slipcase of heavy cardboard covered in brown paper with the spine design printed in blue, loosely laid in is the LEC Monthly Letter, a single sheet folded once to four pages.
___CONDITION: Volume fine, the boards clean, straight corners without rubbing, a strong, square text block with solid hinges, the interior is clean and bright, and entirely free of prior owner markings; the slightest hint of lightening to the blue cloth at the head and tail of the spine, else fine. The glassine very good, clean, with minor overall edgewear, several creases, and one larger tear with some chips; the slipcase near fine, strong and sturdy with no splits or tears, with a few spots of light wear; the LEC Monthly Letter near fine, clean although with light toning, with the original mailing fold and a few very shallow creases. Overall a lovely example.
___CITATION: LEC Bibliography, no. 225; Dance, no. 153.
___POSTAGE: International customers, please note the following: (i) additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs, please inquire for details; and (ii) any taxes, duty, or tariffs charged by your country will, of necessity, be your responsibility.
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Price: $350.00