The Book of Merlyn
The Book of Merlyn, by T. H. White. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1977. First edition.
In 1941, T. H. White settled on a strong central anti-war message for his partly-published ‘Once and Future King’ works. That autumn, he submitted revised versions of the first three volumes (which had already been published) along with his draft of parts four and five: ‘The Candle in the Wind’ and ‘The Book of Merlyn.’ He hoped that the book could be published with all five parts as a single work. An anti-war message was not likely to do well in Britain during wartime, however, and with materials running low due to the war effort, White’s submission was rejected. He eventually published ‘The Candle in the Wind’ seventeen years later. ‘The Book of Merlyn,’ his most anti-war book, was never released, though portions of it were adapted into a 1958 re-issue of ‘The Sword in the Stone.’ Years later, in 1975, the original manuscript was rediscovered at the University of Texas at Austin, where this first edition was published in 1977. Beautifully illustrated by Trevor Stubley.
Near fine in a very good+ dust jacket. Exceedingly rare first printing in terrific condition.
The Book of Merlyn, by T. H. White. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1977. First edition.
In 1941, T. H. White settled on a strong central anti-war message for his partly-published ‘Once and Future King’ works. That autumn, he submitted revised versions of the first three volumes (which had already been published) along with his draft of parts four and five: ‘The Candle in the Wind’ and ‘The Book of Merlyn.’ He hoped that the book could be published with all five parts as a single work. An anti-war message was not likely to do well in Britain during wartime, however, and with materials running low due to the war effort, White’s submission was rejected. He eventually published ‘The Candle in the Wind’ seventeen years later. ‘The Book of Merlyn,’ his most anti-war book, was never released, though portions of it were adapted into a 1958 re-issue of ‘The Sword in the Stone.’ Years later, in 1975, the original manuscript was rediscovered at the University of Texas at Austin, where this first edition was published in 1977. Beautifully illustrated by Trevor Stubley.
Near fine in a very good+ dust jacket. Exceedingly rare first printing in terrific condition.
The Book of Merlyn, by T. H. White. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1977. First edition.
In 1941, T. H. White settled on a strong central anti-war message for his partly-published ‘Once and Future King’ works. That autumn, he submitted revised versions of the first three volumes (which had already been published) along with his draft of parts four and five: ‘The Candle in the Wind’ and ‘The Book of Merlyn.’ He hoped that the book could be published with all five parts as a single work. An anti-war message was not likely to do well in Britain during wartime, however, and with materials running low due to the war effort, White’s submission was rejected. He eventually published ‘The Candle in the Wind’ seventeen years later. ‘The Book of Merlyn,’ his most anti-war book, was never released, though portions of it were adapted into a 1958 re-issue of ‘The Sword in the Stone.’ Years later, in 1975, the original manuscript was rediscovered at the University of Texas at Austin, where this first edition was published in 1977. Beautifully illustrated by Trevor Stubley.
Near fine in a very good+ dust jacket. Exceedingly rare first printing in terrific condition.
