The Transformations of Lucius; Otherwise Known as The Golden Ass

First Edition of the Robert Graves translation. Limited Edition. No. 1854 of 2000 copies. Signed by the translator in black ink at top of back colophon: "Robert Graves." Original publisher's marbled paper-covered boards backed with light beige leather. Original beige paper dust jacket and original beige paper-covered slipcase included. Gilt lettering on book spine. Top edge gilt. Marbled boards feature red, white, black, and beige colors. Dust jacket is solid beige and has black lettering printed on spine. Slipcase has black lettering printed on front panel and spine. 1950 or 1951 (title page states, "1950"; back colophon states, "1951"). Book: 4 3/4" x 7 3/4." Slipcase: 5" x 8." 298 pages, complete. Pages are virtually pristine and intact except for light age toning. Covers are virtually pristine and intact except for light to moderate age toning (most noticeable on spine which is now a light beige color). Binding is tight. Dust jacket is clean and intact except for slight wear to extremities and browning to spine. Slipcase is clean and intact except for slight wear to extremities, browning throughout, and a small dampstain on top edge. A Near Fine book in a Very Good dust jacket with a Very Good slipcase. The famous ancient Roman novel by Numidian author and philosopher, Lucius Apuleius (c. 124-?). This edition was translated by Robert Graves. Back colophon: "[Signature of Robert Graves] This edition of Apuleius' Golden Ass, translated by Robert Graves, was first published in 1951. The typography and the binding were designed by Jan Tschichold. It is set in Monotype Lutetia, and printed by Silk & Terry Ltd, London and Birmingham, on Blue-White Wove paper made by Wiggins, Teape & Co, Ltd. The binding, with a marbled paper supplied by Douglas Cockerell & Son, is by James Burn & Co, London. The edition is limited to 2000 copies humbered and signed by the translator of which this is No. 1854 ["1854" handwitten in blue ink]." The Transformations of Lucius, also known as the Metamorphoses or The Golden Ass, is a picaresque novel that chronicles the trials and tribulations of the titular Lucius after he is magically transformed, by accident, into an ass (donkey). Lucius, originally a member of the Roman country aristocracy, is then forced into many situations ranging from the lamentable to the humorous to the obscene in which he often courts humiliation, death, or both. Over the course of his misadventures, Lucius sees and experiences first-hand the plight of slaves and the lower classes of Roman society. Interspersed among his story are separate tales including the Tale of Cupid and Psyche (also notable for being a rare instance of a fairy tale being presented in an ancient literary text). The Golden Ass is notable for being the only ancient Roman novel in Latin to have survived in its entirety.