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The Children's King Arthur Antique Book Arthurian Legend Merlin Stories from Tennyson Malory

The Children's King Arthur Antique Book Arthurian Legend Merlin Stories from Tennyson Malory

Regular price £44.00 GBP
Regular price Sale price £44.00 GBP
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Antique Book "The Children's King Arthur" First Edition circa 1910 Enchanting Colour Plate Illustrations by Honor C Appleton. Classic Arthurian Legend with Stories from Tennyson and Malory.

A scarce first edition of this wonderful antique Children's book detailing the ancient legend of King Arthur. With stories from the most famous authors ever to write about the heroic tales of King Arthur in the age of Chivalry, Thomas Malory and Tennyson. 

One of the earliest known records of the history of King Arthur was completed by Malory in the year 1470 and these marvellous myths and legends of the ancient British King, said to be the son of Uther Pendragon, have enriched our history ever since. This book displays them magnificently as it embarks upon tale after enchanting tale

A beautiful old book with the Arts and Crafts style binding and exquisite colour plate illustrations by Honor C. Appleton that is full of magical historical romance and chivalry,  and brings these legends of King Arthur, Merlin, Guinevere and Sir Launcelot beautifully to life. 

Would make a wonderful gift for a book lover or fan of Arthurian Legend. 

NB: All our online bookstore's photos show our actual book for sale.

  • USED BOOK: Vintage & Sustainable

Kittys Reader Notes & Book Snippet

Kitty's Notes:

Hard to find this fairy tale like book 'The Children's King Arthur' in such an early edition. On the front inner endpaper there is a quaint ink inscription that has faded with age, for a 'Scripture Prize 1918' although this book was first published circa 1910 (it was not unusual for a book a few years old to be given as a gift in the early years of the 20th century).

The book also has a tiny embossed stamp for a booksellers that were based at 4 Exchange Street, Norwich a lovely old Georgian building that still exists but now houses a modern store.

Honor C. Appleton was one of the most popular illustrators of the era and the colour plates for this book are dreamlike and magical in a wonderful pre-Raphaelite style.

A bewitching book that would please anyone interested in Arthurian Legend and early British History and could also make a delightful introduction to the tales of King Arthur for an older child interested in history.

Extract from this Book:

"THIS is the tale of the noble King Arthur, which was told in bygone days, that men might know the noble acts of chivalry, and the gentle and virtuous deeds that knights did of old, by which they came to honour...

...In the old times when there were many Kings in Britain, there was a king of Cameliard in Cornwall, named Leodegrance. He had one fair daughter called Guenevere : and she was the most lovely lady in the world, all rose and white and gold, like garden in Maytime. King Leodegrance had many enemies, by whom he was almost overcome ; and in his trouble he sent messengers to a king far off, of whose brave acts he had heard, to ask that he would come and help him.

Now this king was said by some to be the son of the great Uther Pendragon ; but others said that he was an upstart who had usurped the throne. And he had fought many fights, and done most knightly deeds; and men called him the noble King Arthur. He was lord over the larger part of Britain, and had many rich cities : London, and Winchester, and Camelot...."

BOOK HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Hardback
  • Illustrated
  • Collectable
  • Antique Children's Book
  • First Edition

BOOK ERA:

  • 1910's Antique Books

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Author Bio & Publication

Browse more of our collectable Antique Books.

Illustrated by Honor C. Appleton

Thomas Malory (born 1393 to 1425 - died 1471 ) wrote the original Arthurian Tales 'Le Morte d'Arthur'.

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Date: c1910's
Edition: First Edition
Binding: Hardback

Condition Notes: VERY GOOD

This antique children's book from the early 1900's is in very good robust condition if a little aged in places.

Complete with all colour plates and the inset colour plate illustration to the front board of Guinevere is in bright and pleasing condition.

The original cloth spine is in very good antique conditon not split just faded and rubbed.

The cloth covered boards are rubbed at the corners and faded in places but the book is fresh and clean inside with crisp creamy coloured pages and the colour plates are excellent.

One very small neat inscription that is almost invisible in the attractive endpaper design it is so faded.

No previous owners inscriptions or text graffiti.

Overall a very good antique edition of this collectable book "The Children's King Arthur".

Please remember this pre-owned antique book has been loved before and condition is graded taking this into consideration.

*Vibrancy of item's photograph colours may vary due to your device screen or brightness settings.

SIZE: Height 21 cms x Width 25.5 cms.
FORMAT: Hardback
PAGES: 34 pages

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SKU:KT-Chi-233AB523

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