IDYLLS OF THE KING      ALFRED LORD TENNYSON

ILLUSTRATED BY GUSTAVE DORE

HENRY ALTEMUS, PUBLISHERS    PHILADELPHIA    1889

First edition thus.  Entered According to Act of Congress in the Year 1889 by Henry Altemus.   Oversize 11" x 14.5" gift book design.   Beautifully illustrated throughout by the famed Gustave Dore.   Green full cloth boards, gilt, silver, and black stamped titles and imagery; moderate corner, edge wear, rub; brilliant and beautifully aged.   Cover depicts several scenes from the legends of King Arthur including: sword in hand rising from water on gilt inset, chivalrous gallantry, castle in b.g., and Tennyson portrait inset in gilt; front design blind-stamped at bac.  Gilt spine titles w/seven bands and decoration, moderate rub, wear. 

Frontispiece w/fine tissue guard has Tennyson at center surrounded by characters from these tales.  Pages generally very good, sharp; few w/fox at front, back endps.  Illustrated with thirty-seven wood engravings by Gustave Dore.  Each magical, mysterious plate of Dore's engravings protected w/fine tissue guards.  Bright gilt text block at all sides.  Ornately patterned floral linen endpapers in dark hues. Antiquarian bookplate inside cover: "Property of James Perdue, Jr., Manchester, Va., December 25, 1892".  Bind solid, square; hinges reinforced.   A beautifully designed example of fine book craft from Henry Altemus.   A rare, sharp example.

Idylls of the King In Twelve Books: Dedication - The Coming of Arthur; The Round Table - Gareth and Lynette; The Marriage of Geraint; Geraint and Enid; Balin and Balan, Merlin and Vivien; Lancelot and Elaine; The Holy Grail; Pelleas and Ettarre; The Last Tournament; Guinevere; The Passing of Arthur; and, To the Queen.   Includes a charming introduction by Henry C. Walsh addressing the multi-faceted development of the legends of King Arthur and the Round Table from various authors, traditions, and word-of-mouth down through the centuries.   Substantial volume at nearly 7 lbs.  Folio - over 12" - 15" tall.   363 pages.   Insured post.