1904 Scarce First Edition - A Prince of Cornwall In The Days Of King Ina Of Wessex Illustrated by Lancelot Speed.
(description)
Author: Charles Watts Whistler. Lancelot Speed, illustrator.
Title: A Prince Of Cornwall A Story Of Glastonbury And The West In The Days Of Ina Of Wessex.
Language: Text in English.
Publisher: London and New York, Frederick Warne & Co., 1904. First Edition.
Size: 8" X 5".
Pages: 410 pages + publisher's catalog.
Binding: Attractive and very good original illustrated full-cloth binding (hinges fine, overall slightly worn and scuffed - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover. A rare find in any condition!
Content: Good content (bright, tight, front free endpaper upper corner chipped - as shown, name of a previous 1907 owner on the first endpaper - as shown, foxing throughout and more important on the title page - as shown).
Illustrated: Complete with the frontispiece and the seven full-page illustrations by Lancelot Speed.
Estimate: (Scarce with no or few other copies available for sale worldwide).
The book: An attractive and scarce first edition of Charles Watts Whistler's "A Prince Of Cornwall" beautifully illustrated by Lancelot Speed!
"A Prince of Cornwall" is a historical fiction novel set in Glastonbury and the West of England during the reign of King Ina of Wessex. The story follows the life of a young prince named Kenwyn, who is the son of a Cornish king and a Saxon princess. Kenwyn is sent to Glastonbury Abbey to be educated and trained as a monk, but he soon discovers that his true calling is to become a warrior and defend his people against the invading Saxons. Along the way, Kenwyn falls in love with a Saxon girl named Ethelwyn, but their love is threatened by the ongoing conflict between their two people. The novel is filled with battles, romance, and political intrigue, and offers a vivid portrayal of life in early medieval England."
The author: Dr. Charles Watts Whistler was a British writer and physician. Born into a family with a strong medical background, Whistler pursued medicine as his primary profession. However, his love for history, especially that of early Britain and the Saxons, was evident in his literary pursuits. Throughout his life, he penned numerous historical novels set in different periods of English history. His works stand out for their meticulous attention to historical detail, a reflection of his profound interest and research into the eras about which he wrote. While Whistler's novels were mainly written for young adults, they have been appreciated by readers of all ages for their immersive narratives and accurate historical portrayals.
The illustrators: Lancelot Speed (1860-1931) was a prominent British illustrator and silent film director of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Renowned for his fantastical and detailed illustrations, he made a significant mark in the realm of illustrated books, particularly those belonging to the fantasy and adventure genres. Speed's works often accompanied the narratives of famous authors of his time, including H. Rider Haggard and Andrew Lang. In addition to his contributions to the literary world, Speed dabbled in the budding film industry, directing silent adaptations of literary classics.