Idylls of the King, Alfred Tennyson — 1st Edition

£158.00

Idylls of the King, Alfred Tennyson — 1st Edition

Name: Idylls of the King, Alfred Tennyson — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4275
Price: 158.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Edward Moxon & Co., 1859

Formatting: Small 8vo, pp. [viii], 261, 8.

Condition Report: Very Good. The original green, blind-stamped cloth binding remains firm and attractive, presenting with exceptionally bright gilt titling to the spine. There is some minor rubbing and bumping to the spine ends and corners, alongside mild shelf-wear, but the cloth is entirely free from any significant splitting, tearing, or fraying. The text block is square and securely bound. Internally, the visible preliminary pages are crisp and remarkably clean, showing only minimal age-toning and remaining free from the heavy foxing that often plagues nineteenth-century volumes, maintaining excellent structural integrity throughout.

Catalogue Note: This is a handsome first edition, first issue of Alfred, Lord Tennyson's celebrated Arthurian cycle.

The first issue is definitively identified by the blank verso of the title page, which lacks the printer's imprint found in subsequent printings. Furthermore, this copy retains the publisher's inserted eight-page catalogue bound at the preliminary pages, notably dated to the very month of the book's initial release.

While reading copies of Tennyson's work are relatively common, encountering a true first issue in its original, unsophisticated cloth binding and in such highly collectible condition is increasingly scarce on the open market.

Published at the height of the Victorian medieval revival, Idylls of the King is Tennyson's poetic magnum opus. This timeless cycle of narrative poems breathes new life into the Arthurian legend, chronicling the rise and tragic fall of King Arthur, his doomed relationship with Guinevere, and the ultimate fracturing of the Round Table. Through masterful blank verse, Tennyson weaves a tapestry of chivalry, betrayal, and melancholic beauty that remains one of the greatest achievements of nineteenth-century English literature.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Alfred Tennyson

Book Publisher: Edward Moxon & Co.

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: Poetry

Book edition: First Edition and First Published

Signed: No

Book Pages: 261

Book Publication Year: 1859

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.