MACHEN, Arthur (pseudonym of JONES, Arthur Llewellyn, 1863-1947). The Secret Glory. London: Martin Secker, [1922].

MACHEN, Arthur (pseudonym of JONES, Arthur Llewellyn, 1863-1947). The Secret Glory. London: Martin Secker, [1922]. 8vo. [iv], 1-[309], [3, ads] pp. Publisher's brown cloth boards with pine stamped gilt, top edge dyed; original unclipped ("7s. 6d.") dust jacket. FIRST UK EDITION, FIRST PRINTING, SIGNED BY MACHEN ON THE FRONT FLYLEAF.

The novel, considered by many to be Machen's final masterpiece, containing some of his most ecstatic prose, is the ragged, circuitous story of Ambrose Meyrick, a young schoolboy who becomes fascinated with tales of the Holy Grail. It had been mostly written around 1907 but did not see publication until 1922. An additional two excluded chapters were later re-discovered and by Tartarus Press in a complete 1998 reissue. Scarce in jacket.

Condition

Jacket heavily worn and chipped with substantial repairs and reconstruction to paper loss at reverse. Boards scuffed and rubbed, corners bumped, spine block pushed, minor fraying and soiling. Ownership inscription to rear pastedown, minor occasional spotting, many pages uncut. Despite the cover, a very good copy.