Le Morte d'Arthur: King Arthur and the Legends of the Round Table

xx-[21]-512 pages with frontispiece and appendix. Royal octavo (9 1/2" x 6 1/4") bound in original publisher's red cloth with gilt lettering to spine. Rendition in modern idiom by Keith Baines. First American edition, first published in 1485. Le Morte d'Arthur is a reworking by Sir Thomas Malory of existing tales about the legendary King Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot, Merlin, and the Knights of the Round Table. Malory interpreted existing French and English stories about these figures and added original material. Condition: Corners bumped and rubbed. Jacket edge tears, spine chipped, fold over edges rubbed and chipped, tape stain to attempted repairs else very good in a good jacket.