Books: Morte Darthur, Fore Edge Painting
1817 Southey edition of Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte D'Arthur. 2 vol. Exceedingly scarce edition, considered definitive for a good part of the 19th century. Foreedge painted with scene of jousting knights on one volume and knights sparring with swords on the other. Part of a collection of books from Dromoland Castle in today's sale.
Provenance: Dromoland Castle, County Clare, Ireland. From the library of Sir Edward O'Brien, 2nd Baronet (1705-1765), inherited by his son, Sir Lucius O'Brien, 3rd Baronet (1731-1795), then by his son, Sir Edward O'Brien, 4th Baronet (1773-1837). The library was pretty much intact until 1962, when Donough O'Brien, the 16th Baron Inchiquin, was forced to sell the castle and its contents at public auction. The December 1962 sale -- conducted by James Adams & Sons of Dublin -- was attended by Gioia Marconi Braga, the daughter of Beatrice O'Brien and inventor Guglielmo Marconi. O'Brien was the daughter of the 14th Baron Inchiquin (1839-1900). Braga purchased a number of volumes from the auction and brought them to the U.S. Thence by descent in the family.
Condition Report: Very good condition, with original tooled and gilt leather boards. Some shelf wear. Volume II has 1-1/2" separation of front board from the bottom end. Pages generally bright, with minimal toning and foxing.
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1817 Southey edition of Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte D'Arthur. 2 vol. Exceedingly scarce edition, considered definitive for a good part of the 19th century. Foreedge painted with scene of jousting knights on one volume and knights sparring with swords on the other. Part of a collection of books from Dromoland Castle in today's sale.
Provenance: Dromoland Castle, County Clare, Ireland. From the library of Sir Edward O'Brien, 2nd Baronet (1705-1765), inherited by his son, Sir Lucius O'Brien, 3rd Baronet (1731-1795), then by his son, Sir Edward O'Brien, 4th Baronet (1773-1837). The library was pretty much intact until 1962, when Donough O'Brien, the 16th Baron Inchiquin, was forced to sell the castle and its contents at public auction. The December 1962 sale -- conducted by James Adams & Sons of Dublin -- was attended by Gioia Marconi Braga, the daughter of Beatrice O'Brien and inventor Guglielmo Marconi. O'Brien was the daughter of the 14th Baron Inchiquin (1839-1900). Braga purchased a number of volumes from the auction and brought them to the U.S. Thence by descent in the family.
Condition Report: Very good condition, with original tooled and gilt leather boards. Some shelf wear. Volume II has 1-1/2" separation of front board from the bottom end. Pages generally bright, with minimal toning and foxing.
