The Romance of Tristram and Iseult, Joseph Bédier — 1st Edition

£120.00

The Romance of Tristram and Iseult, Joseph Bédier — 1st Edition

Name: The Romance of Tristram and Iseult, Joseph Bédier — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5095
Price: 120.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, William Heinemann, 1910

Formatting: 4to, pp. xiii, [i], 218.

Condition Report: Very Good. The original publisher’s blue cloth binding remains remarkably bright and sound, presenting a crisp gilt spine and unblemished silver and black tooling to the front board, with only trivial bumping to the corners and extremities. The binding is firm and square. Internally, the untrimmed text block shows noticeable foxing to the preliminary leaves and deckled page edges, typical of the paper stock used during this period. However, the central text block and the twenty tipped-in colour plates remain notably clean, bright, and securely attached, with all original captioned tissue guards fully intact and present. A strong, highly presentable copy of a beautifully produced edition.

Catalogue Note: This is the First UK Edition in English of Florence Simmonds' translation of Joseph Bédier's acclaimed text.

The volume is magnificently illustrated by the French artist Maurice Lalau, featuring twenty exquisite tipped-in colour plates mounted on heavy card stock. These illustrations masterfully capture the mythic atmosphere and medieval aesthetic of the tragic romance.

The front free endpaper bears a neat early ink ownership signature dated 1913.

This specific 1910 Heinemann publication is scarce on the open market in such a well-preserved state, as the heavy text block and delicate tipped-in plates often result in severely strained or split bindings. Copies retaining bright, unfaded cloth and intact internal hinges are increasingly uncommon.

Few legends have captured the romantic imagination quite like the tragic tale of Tristram and Iseult. Originally reconstructed by the esteemed French scholar Joseph Bédier, this masterful medieval romance breathes life into the eternal story of the Cornish knight and the Irish princess, bound together by an accidental love potion and a fateful destiny. Translated into English by Florence Simmonds, this edition elevates the Arthurian mythos through Maurice Lalau’s breathtaking, richly coloured illustrations, making it a definitive and beautiful presentation of one of Western literature's greatest tragedies.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Joseph Bédier

Book Publisher: William Heinemann

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: Romance

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 231

Book Publication Year: 1910

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Maurice Lalau

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.