Description
The Earliest Obtainable Edition. Published by William Stansby.
"It is the only true English epic... Each century has produced its own version of Arthurian tapestry, but Malory's will never be forgotten." (PMM)
William Stansby's 1634 edition of Malory's Morte d'Arthur (first printed by Caxton in 1485) was the sixth and last of the early editions of Mallory's Morte d'Arthur, with language changed to suit Jacobean tastes. The next two editions, both published in 1816, were printed using Stansby's (Wither to Prior).
Condition Description
Octavo. Three parts in one volume in full modern calf. Double-fillet gilt borders with Oxford corners to covers. Spine in six compartments separated by raised bands, second compartment with gilt titling, other 5 with gilt-stamped acorn device, each compartment ruled in gilt. Gilt board edges. Front flyleaves of wove paper. Woodcut frontispieces preceding title page of each part. Former ownership note in pen to second front flyleaf (dated 1900). Many gatherings embrowned, occasional fingersoiling and foxing (only affecting text readability at Part 1, F2). In Part 1, hole in outer margin at F1, ink correction to chapter title at G3r. Heavy restoration to title page (supplied), lower outer edge repaired with laid paper (some pen facsimile to terminal letters) mounted on thin tissue. In Part 2, worming to gatherings A-B, dampstaining in outer margin to a few gatherings, printers crease affecting text at 2K4, old marginalia at M1r. In Part 3, worming to gatherings 2E-2F, hole at D3 just touching headline, 2F4 affecting a few letters. Last page (2P4 in Part 3) trimmed below "FINIS" and mounted on laid paper.
[par.]4, [sec.]4, A-H4, I8, K-2I4; pi2, [par.]4, (a)1, A-2Q4, 2R1; [par.]4, [par.]4, A-2P4
[par.]4, [sec.]4, A-H4, I8, K-2I4; pi2, [par.]4, (a)1, A-2Q4, 2R1; [par.]4, [par.]4, A-2P4
Reference
ESTC S100230, Wither to Prior 532, PMM 29 (1470 edition)