The Complete Plays of Gilbert & Sullivan - Modern Library Giant G25 w/ Jacket

Gilbert and Sullivan

Published by The Modern Library

About this Item

New York: The Modern Library, n.d. [c. 1950-1953]. Modern Library Giant G25. Hardcover in original red cloth with gilt-stamped running torchbearer medallions; complete with the illustrated dust jacket featuring W. S. Gilbert's original character drawings. This Giant edition contains the full authorized libretti for all fourteen Gilbert and Sullivan operettas including The Mikado, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, Iolanthe, Yeomen of the Guard, Ruddigore, Utopia Limited, and others, all alongside period illustrations and stage directions. The jacket's rear panel advertises the early Giant-series lineup (G1-G39), and the verso lists only titles through G27, placing this printing in the early 1950s. Near Fine book in Very Good dust jacket. The cloth is remarkably fresh for the era - clean, unfaded, with bright gilt and square, tight binding; no writing or marks internally except for a discrete Paul Elder's Books (San Francisco) store label on the rear pastedown, suggesting the original point of purchase. The text is clean, supple, and printed on the smooth early-50s ML stock. The jacket shows moderate edgewear, shallow chipping at crown and upper panel edges, and one short closed tear, but retains vibrant color and is not clipped. Front panel illustration is sharp and attractive. Edition/Printing determination: This is an early 1950-53 Modern Library Giant printing. Points include: (1) Giant-format jacket priced at $2.45 (common for early-50s Giants), (2) rear jacket listing Giants only through G39, (3) thick red cloth with torchbearer medallions and black title panel, and (4) sewn binding with grey topstain. Modern Library Giants did not have stated printing numbers; identification is made by matching jacket and binding points. Provenance: With the oval Paul Elder's Books (San Francisco) label on the rear pastedown - indicating early sale through one of the West Coast's most respected literary bookshops, long associated with the Arts & Crafts movement and known for its discerning clientele and fine-press sensibilities.

Seller Inventory # F.GIL.1950.2

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Complete Plays of Gilbert & Sullivan - Modern Library Giant G25 w/ Jacket
• Publisher: The Modern Library
• Language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Near Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Theater
  • Fiction