White, T. H.

The Sword in the Stone

London: Collins, 1938. First edition. A beautiful copy of White's most famous book, his modern interpretation of the Arthurian legend. Both book and jacket very Nearly Fine. Book with spots of foxing to the closed page block and some of the early leaves, minor offsetting to end pages along flap lines. Dust jacket sharp and fresh with one short tear at the crown (no loss), no chips and spine just a bit toned. A scarce book in any condition and quite uncommon thus.

Adapting Arthurian legend for modern readers, White provided Arthuriana fans with a backstory on the childhood and education of the boy who would become king. Tracing Arthur’s youth and training with Merlin, the novel also put the young hero in contact with other familiar Medieval figures including Robin hood. Basis for the beloved 1962 Disney film of the same name and a classic of modern literature in its own right. “The single finest fantasy novel written in our time, or for that matter ever written, by any conceivable standard must be T.H. White’s” (Carter). About Fine in About Fine dust jacket. (Item #2131)