Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ Two Volumes

Hardcover. A scarce and handsome edition of this most famous work by Lew Wallace, originally published in 1880 by Harper and Brothers. It is considered to be "the most influential Christian book of the nineteenth century." It became a best-selling American novel, surpassing Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin in sales.[ Wikipedia] This faithful New Testament tale combines the events of the life of Jesus with grand historical spectacle in the exciting story of Judah of the House of Hur, a man who finds extraordinary redemption for himself and his family. A classic of faith, fortitude, and inspiration [Good Reads]. Called the Garfield edition as it was dedicated to General Garfield after the general sent a laudatory letter to the author in 1881. This edition, published by Osgood, McIlvaine in London, is rare in commerce, libraries, and at auction. The volumes are beautifully bound by Sagorski and Sutcliffe in three quarter brown leather with gilt trim and gilt decorated spines. The books have striking marbled paper covers in red, orange, brown and cream. There are also marbled paper endpapers. There are inscriptions in ink on a free endpaper with the owner's name, saying the book came from he library of Harry Gilbert Crowder, her father. The text pages are generally bright and clean, with illustrations and decorations on every page, and black and white full page photogravures. An exceptionally nice edition of this famed work in near fine condition. Measures 5 x 8 inches. Continuously paginated: Volume I with 21 to 438 pages; Volume II with pages 455 to 853. LIT/060425.…