Tales of the Classics: a new delineation of the most popular fables, legends, and allegories commemorated in the works of poets, painters, and sculptors. Selected and written by a lady, for the amusement and instruction of her own daughters.
London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, 1830. First edition. Some rubbing and a few scuffs to binding extremities. A very good copy of a scarce set. Nineteenth-century half red morocco over decorative boards, gilt spine. Three volumes in one, large twelvemo. xxiv, 302; iv, 302; iv, 370 pp. Item #15723
This is a an exhaustive survey of Greek mythology, intended "as a useful and not inelegant manual, for the purposes of education in schools and families; besides forming a compendium suited to the cabinet or study of the amateur of the fine arts, and an interesting vade mecum for the young traveller in his tour through Italy and other countries of classic interest." It is dedicated to the future Victoria, then a child of eleven, and with the death of her uncle George IV and the accession of his brother William Duke of Clarence, the presumptive heir to the British throne. The name of the author is unknown, though she is clearly educated and literature. The dedication is dated Wadlands, July 1829.
Wolff 7652. Block, p. 232. OCLC lists a dozen copies in North America.
Price: $850.00