Jessie M. King HIGH HISTORY OF THE HOLY GRAAL 1903 1st

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*** THE HIGH HISTORY OF THE HOLY GRAAL Translated from the Old French by Sebastian Evans illustrated by Jessie M. King published by J. M. Dent & co., London 1903 FIRST EDITION *** *** An exceedingly scarce first edition copy of The High History of the Holy Graal exquisitely illustrated with 23 full page Art Nouveau drawings plus illustrated title page and numerous head pieces and tail pieces by Jessie Marion King, published by J. M. Dent & co., London in 1903. An exceedingly scarce and exceedingly beautiful production. This sumptuous book marks a definitive high point in the illustrative career of Jessie M. King, being one of her most elusive and most sought after books ever published. The sublime drawings are completed in Kings' early decorative linear style with beautifully sinuous gossamer fine lines composing her wonderfully intricate medieval compositions. These drawings are typical of Kings' early work, completed meticulously in pen and ink and very heavily influenced by the Glasgow School Style. These drawings are eminently well suited to the Arthurian subject matter of this historic novel with their rectilinear structure contrasting with their floral and curvilinear elements, all with evident romantic overtones. Just sublime, a perfect marriage of historic Arthurian text and incomparable illustrative art. Hardback, blue cloth boards with black linear illustration and titling by JMK to front board and spine accented with gilt. Top page edges gilt, others deckled. Twenty three full page black and white illustrations on coated paper, most bordered in red, plus decorative head pieces and tail pieces. xvii+379 pages, approx. size 9 inches x 6 inches (23cm x 15.5cm). Small amount of rubbing to lower spine end and lower board tips. Boards lightly faded, more so to spine. Design to front board lightly rubbed but clearly visible and very attractive. Design and title to spine a little more faded but still attractive The blank endpapers are intact and the binding is tight. The front free end paper carries an inscription of Frederick Bigger, Christmas 1904. This was most probably Frederick Bigger, visionary architect and American city planner, who was responsible for Pittsburgh's urban landscape. The front fixed end paper bears an attractive bookplate of author George M. P. Baird, also of Pittsburgh. Below this is a small inscription, gift of F. Bigger, dated 1963, the year in which Frederick Bigger died. All pages are intact and in good fresh condition with no marking or other damage. Tissue guard to frontis is present and in good condition. All illustrated plates are intact and in good condition. A very pleasing copy. An opportunity to acquire an extremely scarce and highly sought after copy of the The High History of the Holy Graal, featuring the exquisite Glasgow School style Art Nouveau illustrations of Jessie M. King. TOO GOOD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MISS!! Thanks for looking and if you have any questions please feel free to contact us. The bookshelves are bowing so it is time once again to thin out the collection. For a few weeks only we will be offering some of our collection for sale with low starting bids, no reserves and no buy it nows. Please scroll to the bottom, below images, for shipping and payment details. postage and packaging details £4.95 / $7.40 U.S. United Kingdom Royal Mail 1st class £5.70 / $8.55 U.S. United Kingdom Royal Mail 1st class recorded £9.15 / $13.70 U.S. United Kingdom Royal Mail special delivery £7.60 / $11.40 U.S. Europe Printed Papers airmail (All countries in E.U. excluding the U.K.)£14.50 / $21.75 U.S. Worldwide Printed Papers airmail (all countries outside of the E.U., including the U.S.)£2.65 /$4.00 U.S. Surface Mail (all destinations outside of the U.K.) Please note that the surface rate of $4.00 has been applied in order to abide by ebay U.S's rece... read more

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