A Million and One Nights (Signed Limited Edition)

Limited to 327 copies (this one out of series). Signed by Ramsaye and Thomas A. Edison. Quarto (241 x 168 mm). Collating: lxx, 400; 401-868. Frontispiece portrait. Illustrated throughout text with black and white photographic reproductions. In the publisher's original blue cloth with gilt decorations on the front boards. Spine lettering dulled and rubbed. A faint tide-mark affecting the closed text-block to vol. 2. But, a Very Good set overall. Housed in a custom blue slipcase with red morocco label. This first official history of cinema, written by film journalist Terry Ramsaye, presents a clear and detailed picture of the early development of film as seen from the Edison camp. Dwelling specifically on Edison's early Kinetograph and his 'Black Maria (the first studio to be built specifically for making commercial films), Ramsaye charts the development of the motion picture industry through 1925. While later critics downplayed Edison's importance, recent scholars have reinstated his preeminent position in the history of film. A lavish production, chronicling the history of the silver screen, with wonderful vintage photographs-as Edison states, "the first endeavor to set down the whole and true story of the motion picture.through his years of preparation.I am aware of [the author's] effort at exact fact. A high degree of detailed accuracy has been attained.". Very Good.…