[MALORY, THOMAS]. La Mort D'Arthur. The Most Ancient and Famous History of the Renowned Prince Arthur and the Knights of The Round Table. London: Printed & Published by R. Wilks, 89 Chancery Lane; sold also by Simpkin & Marshall, Stationers Court Ludgate Hill; and all other booksellers, 1816.
Hardcover. Complete in three volumes. Eighth edition; first edition in this format. Full vellum. Small format (145 x 75 mm.), pp. xxiv [25]-326; xvi [17]-381; xvi [17]-384. English text. Two title pages in each volume, the 1816 title page and a facsimile of the 1634 title page. Illustrated with engravings from paintings by W.M. Craig. The engraved title pages in each volume with 'The history of the renowned Prince Arthur, and his knights of the Round Table ... London, Published by J. Walker & Co.' Engraved frontispiece of the Death of Sir Launcelot present in volume I, of the Parting of Tristan and Isolde in volume II, and of Prince Arthur Obtaining the Sword in volume III. Near-contemporary full vellum by Roger de Coverly, smooth spines with gilt banding and titles, gilt ruled frame to covers, inner gilt dentelles, top edges gilt, marbled endpapers. Includes a brief publishing history of Malory; also Caxton's prologue and preface. With the bookplate of artist G. F. Watts, R.A., to front pastedown of volume I. Condition: The bindings are tight and secure, with the hinges perfectly preserved. Some light browning to fore edges and a few leaves, however the textblock is nicely preserved. Lacking the folding frontispiece of King Arthur and his Knights at the Round Table in volume I, but otherwise complete.
Note: The Morte d'Arthur was first printed by Caxton in 1485 and was followed by editions in 1498, 1529, 1557 and 1634. Owing to the rise of the Commonwealth, stories of kings were generally suppressed; no further editions of the Morte d'Arthur were printed until 1816, which saw two editions of which this is one; marking the start of modern interest in Arthuriana. By 1858, Thomas Wright was already describing this edition as rare. But it is, with the two volume 1816 edition, the earliest more or less obtainable edition of King Arthur available, though copies of the previous edition of 1634 occasionally come on the market. The engravings are impressive, depicting significant scenes from the story. This set from the personal library of George Frederic Watts OM RA, renown Victorina era British painter and sculptor associated with the Symbolist movement - his art nouveau-style bookplate in volume I only. [Gaines A8; Paden A4].
