Gresham; Myth & Legend in Literature and Art Series [7 Volumes]
Charles Squire, A R Hope Moncrieff and Donald A Mackenzie, Gresham; Myth & Legend in Literature and Art Series, London: The Gresham Publishing Company, Undated but these books were published between 1912 and 1915, 7 volumes
Original decorated olive-green cloth bindings that feature unique but complementary art nouveau decorations across the cover and spine, title to spine and front cover in gilt, top edge gilt (each). These volumes are from the earlier Art Nouveau style binding of the book. Undated but these books were published between 1912 and 1915.
Although almost all volumes are undated, the sequence of volumes - as published and as listed in advertisements is:
1. Charles Squire, Celtic Myth and Legend: Poetry and Romance, [1912]
x + 450 pages including 4 color plates, 20 full page one-sided black and white photographs with reproductions of paintings by J H F Bacon and other imminent artists.
8.5 x 6 x 1.75 in (22 x 15 x 4.5 cm)
From the preface: “This volume deals with the famous legendary fictions of Ancient Greece, that have furnished so many themes and allusions to modern authors… The stories themselves are presented in simple outline, illustrated here and there by purple passages from our own poets; and, at the end, it has seemed best to give a few legends in the shape of the noble verse that has embalmed them for us.”
In this volume the reader is made acquainted with the gods and heroes of Celtic mythology, with Cuchulainn, Finn and the Fenians, Ossian, Deirdre, Diarmid, Arthur and his Knights, and others worthy to rank with the great figures of classical mythology.
2. A R Hope Moncrieff, Classic Myth and Legend, [1912]
xvi + 441 pages including beautifully illustrated 8 color plates and 40 full page one-sided black and white photographs with reproductions of paintings by some of the noted artists of the Arts and Crafts period including Burne-Jones, Waterhouse, Alma-Tadema and Rossetti.
8.5 x 6 x 2 in (22 x 15.5 x 5 cm)
From the preface: “This volume deals with the famous legendary fictions of Ancient Greece, that have furnished so many themes and allusions to modern authors… The stories themselves are presented in simple outline, illustrated here and there by purple passages from our own poets; and, at the end, it has seemed best to give a few legends in the shape of the noble verse that has embalmed them for us.”
In this volume the body of Greek Mythology is dealt with on a comprehensive plan; the whole field is covered; and his narrations the author is singularly successful in retaining the spell which has held hearers and readers entranced from the days of Homer downwards.
3. Donald A Mackenzie, Teutonic Myth and Legend, [1912]
xlvii + 469 pages including beautifully illustrated 4 color plates and 31 full page one-sided black and white photographs with reproductions of paintings by J Doyle Penrose, R H A and other imminent artists
8.5 x 6 x 2 in (22 x 15 x 5 cm)
“From the preface: This volume deals with the myths and legends of the Teutonic peoples… They survive to us in folk tales, divine and heroic lays, and in sagas and epic narratives.”
In this volume the reader is afforded a comprehensive survey of the literature of the Teutonic peoples, which grew up at various periods and in different districts under the inspiring influence of common tribal conditions.
4. A R Hope Moncrieff, Romance and Legend of Chivalry, [1913]
xii + 439 pages including beautifully illustrated 8 color plates and 27 full page one-sided black and white photographs with reproductions of paintings by Sir John Gilbert R A, Byam Shaw and other imminent artists.
8.5 x 6 x 2 in (22 x 15.5 x 5 cm)
From the preface: “This volume deals with the prose or verse tales styled Romances, as told in one of the Romance languages, being mainly indeed of French origin… The book is divided into two parts, the first giving an account of the character and development of Romance, which in the second and larger division is represented by typical tales from its various schools.”
Some knowledge of the old romances is necessary to an understanding of English literature. Not only is it true that in these romances, with their delineation of character and emotion, we see the beginnings of the novel, that the “sentiment” of modern fiction can be traced back to Chrestien de Troyes, but the names of the great romantic figures - the Arthurs and Galahads - are constantly met with today, like a musical motif.
5. Donald A. Mackenzie, Egyptian Myth and Legend, [1913]
xlix + 404 pages including beautifully illustrated 8 color plates and 33 full page one-sided black and white photographs with reproductions of paintings by J R Weguelin, R W S, "Book of Dead" papyrus and from various bas-reliefs, wooden statue in the Cairo Museum and various other artefacts.
8.5 x 6 x 2 in (22 x 15.5 x 5 cm)
From the preface: “The discovery of the Tutankhamon tomb has undoubtedly aroused fresh interest in the land in which Abraham sojourned, where Joseph was chosen to be a great vizier, and where Moses was born and educated and became the leader and liberator of his oppressed kinsmen.”
This volume deals the complex mythology and fascinating folk-stories of the ancient Egyptians. A vast period of time is covered, and, to enable students to follow with interest the growth and development of Egyptian beliefs, the author has told the story of the ancient civilisation from its remote beginnings until the Greek Age.
6. Donald A Mackenzie, Indian Myth and Legend, [1913]
xlviii + 463 pages including 8 color plates by Warwick Goble, 32 full page one-sided black and white photographs from collection in museums and palaces.
8.5 x 6.25 x 2 in (22 x 16 x 5.5 cm)
This book deals with the myths and legends of India, which survive in the rich and abundant storehouse of Sanskrit literature. It introduces to the various sacred works of the Hindus. The ancient forest sages and poets of India invested the legendary themes and traditional beliefs with beautiful symbolism and used them as mediums for speculative thought and profound spiritual teaching.
7. Donald A Mackenzie, Myths of Babylonia and Assyria, [1915]
xxxix + 537 pages including 8 color plates, 22 full page one-sided black and white photographs from collection in museums and palaces.
8.5 x 6 x 2.25 in (22 x 15.5 x 6 cm)
From the preface: “This volume deals with the myths and legends of Babylonia and Assyria, and as these reflect the civilization in which they developed, a historical narrative has been provided, beginning with the early Sumerian Age and concluding with the periods of the Persian and Grecian Empires. Over thirty centuries of human progress are thus passed under review.”
In this volume the myths and legends of babylonia and Assyria Are set forth with some fullness, and form an informative historical narrative reflecting the civilisation in which they developed.
About Gresham Publishing
About Gresham Publishing, which was established by Blackie & Son in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1898 to take over its subscription selling business and publish scientific and technical books, published a lovely collection of books titled Myth and Legend in Literature and Art between 1912 and 1930.
The legends are presented by Charles Squire (an Arthurian scholar who published only a few titles on the mythology of Britain, and whose book is the only one not to feature the author), Ascott Robert Hope Moncrieff (a Scottish children's author best known for his Black's travel guidebooks), and Donald Alexander Mackenzie (a Scottish journalist and noted folklorist who wrote prolifically on religion, mythology, and anthropology in the early 20th century).
Gresham described the books as "the most in-depth publication of the early 20th century, with many lesser known sagas and myths as well as some philosophical essays on mythology and paganism" at the time they were published. According to promotional materials, they were created with comparative folklore and literary students in mind.
The books' pictures include colour and black-and-white copies of well-known classic paintings, together with additional works of art created by modern artists at the time and illustrations from archaeology. Each book has a frontispiece in colour, and Myths of Babylonia and Assyria and Myths of Pre-Columbus America also come with fold-out maps.
New volumes in the series were published regularly; however there are several distinct binding styles.
The most eye-catching cover art is seen on the first eight volumes released in 1912–1915 (present lot), which have vivid green cloth bindings with distinctive but complementing art nouveau designs along the length of the cover and spine.
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This lot will be shipped in "as is" condition. For further details, please refer to the images of individual lots as reference for the condition of each book.