GILLES de RAIS - The Authentic Bluebeard (First edition)

Jean Benedetti

ISBN 10: 043201215X / ISBN 13: 9780432012154

Published by Peter Davies Ltd., London, 1971

About this Item

An ex-library copy of the first impression of the true first edition, published in the UK by Peter Davies in 1971. ***Very good in maroon cloth-covered boards with gilt titles to the spine. The boards are clean and unmarked. Head and tail of the spine slightly creased. Lower corner of front board slightly creased - other corners sharp. Slight reading lean to the binding. Spine tight. Page block edges browned from age and handling. Internally also very good, with the following library marks: Withdrawn for Sale mauve ink stamp to the hlf-title page, which has offset to the opposite page and bled through the page, half-title page also has a thin patch where a barcode has been removed, and a pencil number at the top, mauve ink stamp has also offset to the title page, and there is a library reference number on the printer's page, and finally a small ink stamp on the last printed page (please see scans). Pages reasonably clean with just a few light marks. No foxing. No serious creases or tears. Map-illustrated endpapers with some light staining. ***In a very good illustrated dustwrapper, which has not been price-clipped, retaining the original publisher's printed price of £2.75 net. The dustwrapper is largely complete, but has some rubbing and wear to the edges, with small patches of surface loss at the top and bottom edges of the spine, and a scuff tear at the bottom of the spine where a library sticker has been removed. No significant creases or tears. Light fading to the red titles on the spine. Dustwrapper otherwise bright. ***224mm x 145mm. 207 pages including an Appendix detailing a Chronological List of Known Victims, and a detailed Index at the back of the book. ***'Gilles de Rais (c. 1405 - 26 Oct 1440), Baron de Rais, was a knight and lord from Brittany, Anjou and Poitou, a leader in the French army, and a companion-in-arms of Joan of Arc. He is best known for his reputation and later conviction as a confessed serial killer of children. A member of the House of Montmorency-Laval, Gilles de Rais was raised by his maternal grandfather. He earned the favour of the Duke of Brittany and was admitted to the French court. From 1427 to 1435, Rais served as a commander in the French army, and fought in the Hundred Years' War, for which he was appointed Marshal of France. Rais is sometimes believed to be an inspiration for Charles Perrault's "Bluebeard" ("Barbe bleue") literary fairy tale (1697), but this assumption is controversial. Whatever the case, a popular confusion between the historical character and the mythical wife-murderer has been documented since the early 19th century.' (Wiki) ***First impression of the true first edition. Although an ex-library copy, this book has now become uncommon. A good reading / reference copy of the first edition. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc.

Seller Inventory # 8987

Bibliographic Details

• Title: GILLES de RAIS - The Authentic Bluebeard (First edition)
• Publisher: Peter Davies Ltd., London
• Publication Date: 1971
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 043201215X
• ISBN 13: 9780432012154
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First Edition
• Printing: First Impression
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Literature
  • First Editions

About this title

Synopsis

Shipped from UK, please allow 10 to 21 business days for arrival. Contents clean & firm. Dk. red boards are stained, edges rubbed. Rather scruffy d/w.