The Earthly Paradise: A Poem, Vol. 1, parts I-3

Morris, William

Published by Longmans, Green and Co., 1917

About this Item

The Earthly Paradise: A Poem in Twelve Parts, Vol. 1, parts I-3 (3 separate books). 7 ½ x 5 ¼, 324 pages, 17 ounces. Part I: Prologue: The Wanderers (Reissue, 1917, 96 pages); Part II: Atalanta?s Race, The Man Born To Be King (New Impression, 1916, 108 pages); Part III: The Doom of King Acrisius, The Proud King (1905), by William Morris. Book condition of Part 1: The text block is in very good condition with no marks or dog ears, but there is a small tear on the title page. The binding is generally good, but the introduction page is cracking and showing the stitching. Not a library book nor a remainder. No bookplate. Signature of previous owner on first free end paper: Elizabeth Wilder, Northampton, January 1928. Considering the fact that Thornton Wilder?s elder sister Charlotte Elizabeth Wilder (1898-1980) taught at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts until 1934 (beginning date unknown) and the fact that she was a poet suggest her ownership of these volumes. On the blank page facing the Introduction, in the same handwriting as that of Wilder?s signature is written the 58th stanza of a passage from Edmund Spenser?s 1591 poem ?Ruines of Time,? which begins: ?For deeds do die, however nobly done.? A photograph of William Morris faces the title page and is covered with tissue. The pages are age-tanned and there is some age spotting on the first few and last few pages. The light green boards of Part 1 are in good condition, with some discoloration. It seems that all three books have had their spines replaced with green tape on which is written E.P. and the correct part number. All three spines are bumped top and bottom. Book condition of Part II: The text block is in very good condition with no marks or dog ears, but a few pages have small tears. The binding is good. Not a library book nor a remainder. No bookplate. Signature of Elizabeth Wilder on first free end paper: The pages are age-tanned and there is some age spotting on the first few and last few pages. The light green boards of Part II are in good condition, with some discoloration. Book condition of Part III: The text block is in very good condition with no marks, dog ears, or tears. The binding is good. Not a library book nor a remainder. No bookplate. Signature of Elizabeth Wilder on first free endpaper. The pages are age-tanned. The light green boards of Part III are in good condition, with some discoloration. Please note that because these three books together weigh over one pound, additional postage will be necessary for any shipments outside the US. Please contact me before buying if you do not live in the US. XX [Wikipedia] The Earthly Paradise by William Morris is an epic poem. It is a lengthy collection of retellings of various myths and legends from Greece and Scandinavia. It was begun in 1868 and several later volumes followed until 1870. The Earthly Paradise was generally well received by reviewers: according to one study it "established Morris's reputation as one of the foremost poets of his day.? Morris uses a frame story concerning a group of medieval wanderers searching for a land of everlasting life. After much disillusionment they discover a surviving colony of Greeks with whom they exchange stories. The poem is divided into twelve sections, each section representing a month of the year and containing two tales told in verse, drawn largely from classical mythology or mediaeval legends, including the Icelandic sagas. Seller Inventory # 000464

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Earthly Paradise: A Poem, Vol. 1, parts ...

Publisher: Longmans, Green and Co.

Publication Date: 1917

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Very Good

Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket