NON-EXPORTABLE
(Set of two)
a)
TITLE: Sakoontala, or the Lost Ring
SUB TITLE: An Indian Drama. Translated into English prose and verse, from the Sanskrit of Kalidasa, by Monier Williams, M A, Professor of Sanskrit at the East-India College, Haileybury, formerly Boden scholar at the University of Oxford
AUTHOR: Monier Williams
PUBLISHER: Stephen Austin
PLACE: Hertford
YEAR: 1855
NO.OF PAGES: 227 Pages+ 25 Pages of Notes
BINDING: Bound in full calf, decoratedendpapers, the entire printed in multiple colours including silver and gold, in the style of a manuscript, all edges gilt
SIZE: 22 x 18 x 2.7 cm
Sakoontala, or The Lost Ring: An Indian Drama. Translated into English prose and verse, from the Sanskrit of Kalidaasa, by Monier Williams, M A, Professor of Sanskrit at the East-India College, Haileybury, formerly Boden scholar at the University of Oxford.
Sakoontala is a popular Hindu myth. The daughter of an ascetic sage and a heavenly spirit, Sakoontala is left in the forest as a baby. The rishi Kanva eventually finds her surrounded by birds and names her "Sakoontala" or "one who is brought up by birds." Sakoontala grows up in Kanva's ashram where she meets a king and they fallin love. Their love story is the subject of this play.
Published by Stephen Austin of Hertford, this volume is his most successful work for its use of wood-engraving rather than chromolithography for its lavish decorations, using four or five colours using a relief technique that is "indistinguishable from chromolithography....The most lavish of the Oriental illuminated books." (McLean, 172)
Translated by Monier Williams, it includes a frontispiece, an additionally illustrated title page, geometric fly title, 14 intricate in-text wood-engravings with ornate colour-block borders, and decorative page borders throughout, handsomely bound by Riviere. The text is enhanced by the wood-engravings of George Measom based on drawingsmade by architectural draftsman Thomas Sulman from manuscripts in the British Library. This book won gold medals at the 1856 Paris Exposition Universelle, and Austin was awarded gold medals by both, Queen Victoria and the Empress of France followingthis exhibition. He also received the first-class Silver Medal of Le Jury International.
b)
TITLE: Folk Tales of Bengal
AUTHOR: Lal Behari Dey
PUBLISHER: Macmillan & Co., Limited
PLACE: London
YEAR: 1912
NO.OF PAGES: 273including 32 Illustrations in colour by Warwick Gobles
BINDING: Highly Decorated Boards in gilt with intricate patterns on upper board and spine
SIZE: 25.5 x 18 x 4.5 cm
First published in 1883, this edition of Folk Tales of Bengal, a collection of 22 short stories written by Lal Behari Dey, was enhanced with illustrations by Warwick Goble in 1912.
This lot will be sold in "as is" condition.
There may be some minor tears/creases scratches, or holes commensurate with age that may not be visible in the images.
The books on sale in this auction are rare, out-of-print and otherwise collectible, dating from the 19th century on wards. The technology and material for printing and binding books has evolved over the last few centuries. From being the exclusive preserve of Clergy and Kings to an item of everyday application, the availability and use of books has also evolved over time. Books age over time and deterioration in a book's condition depends on many factors, including the original materials used and conditions of usage over time. Books will often show signs of foxing, fading, shelf-ware or dust jacket damage through usage. Prolonged storage may also cause wormhole damage or water stains.
The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email. Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Storyltd shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.