The Idylls of the King

A very good to near fine copy of the limited edition de luxe of 'Idylls of the King' illustrated by Eleanor Fortescue Brickdale. Copy number 181/350 signed by the artist. In the original full vellum binding with elaborate decoration in gilt and blue to the front board and in gilt on the spine. Top page edges gilted; remainder untrimmed. Brickdale (1872-1945) was one of the most successful artists of the Edwardian period - painting in both watercolour and oils, working in stained glass, producing sculpture and illustrating a number of colour-plate books. She is remembered as the last of the late Pre-Raphaelite painters and her book illustrations tell stories with vibrant use of colour, costumed figures, and beautiful settings. This copy of Idylls is in a newer solander box with title label. The box is sound and clean with light scuffing to the surface, edges and corners. The book has a very clean binding with bright decoration. There is slight surface scuffing and a small ripple to the top of the front board and scuffing at the top of the spine (where there are a couple of short dark lines). Some of the gilt on the front spine joint is rubbed. The back board has a couple of scuffs and a few light spots and the corners are lightly turned inwards. The ties are missing. Contents: decorative endpapers (a sword design); signed limitation page; half title; guarded tipped-in frontispiece; title; illustration list; half title; text 174 pp with half titles to each section and 20 further tipped in colour plates with captionned guards. The contents are in near fine clean condition. There is toning to both free endpapers and the paper on the rear pastedown is bubbled a little at the top. The untrimmed paper side edges are occasionally browned. Please enquire if you would like to see additional images.…