Cleopatra

H. Rider Haggard

Published by Longmans, Green, and Co., 1889

About this Item

A good plus copy of the first US edition of 1889. Possibly a later printing as the 16-page publisher's catalogue is dated August 1889. Original blue cloth binding with gilt lettering and decoration to the spine and front board. The binding is well worn with both hinges fully cracked. The rear board has been detached at some point but is now neatly reattached and appears to be holding firm. Inside there is a tidy and contemporary owner's signature to the ffep. The original rose-coloured end-papers with the publishers swan and ship device are still present. The text block itself is very nicely preserved - clean and bright with no markings noted. The 29 plates are all present and undamaged, all but one being firmly attached and the other one neatly laid in. Overall a very sound copy of this Haggard classic. "The story is set in the Ptolemaic era of Ancient Egyptian history and revolves around the survival of a dynasty bloodline protected by the Priesthood of Isis. The main character Harmachis (the living descendant of this bloodline) is charged by the Priesthood to overthrow the supposed impostor Cleopatra, drive out the Romans and restore Egypt to its golden era. As is the case with the majority of Haggard's works, the story draws heavily upon adventure and exotic concepts. The story, told from the point of view of the Egyptian priest Harmachis, is recounted in biblical language, being in the form of papyrus scrolls found in a tomb. Haggard's portrait of Cleopatra is quite stunning, revealing her wit, her treachery, and her overwhelming presence. All of the characters are mixtures of good and evil, and evoke both sympathy and loathing. While much of the material on ancient Egyptian ritual is overdone, the often brilliant dialogue and the fateful interactions between the principal characters make the book quite unforgettable in comparison to Haggard's better known but more conventional adventure novels. Cleopatra goes unrecognized in most discussions of Haggard - perhaps because of its stilted language.".

Seller Inventory # NT000600

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Cleopatra
• Publisher: Longmans, Green, and Co.
• Publication Date: 1889
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket