STORIES FROM EARLY ENGLISH LITERATURE. WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF THE ORIGIN OF FAIRY TALES, LEGENDS, AND TRADITIONARY LORE. ADAPTED TO THE USE OF YOUNG STUDENTS. London: Griffith and Farran, 1879. Octavo, pp. [i-vii] viii [1] 2-280 + 32-page publisher's catalogue dated "1.79" on page [1] inserted at rear, original decorated slate cloth, front and spine panels stamped in black and gold, rear panel stamped in black, top edge untrimmed, black coated endpapers. First edition. Apparently, the first of two books by Dodds, the other a story of small farm life published in 1890. A simplified retelling of English literature from the earliest documents of Old English up to the latter days of Middle English, though curiously silent on the Matter of Britain. Taking into account the author's purpose and the period's conventions, the style of the book is by no means saccharine for an adult reader of today. "Dragons are not pleasant to think about until we come to the part of the story where they are killed; not so with our Fairy Stories, they are always too short" (p. 44). Allibone supplement, p. 497. Gift inscription dated "Easter-tide 1879" on verso of front free endpaper. Cloth rubbed at edges, mostly spine ends, lower corn tips and along outer joints, two small, faint spots to front cover, a tight, clean, very good copy. COPAC reports five copies. (#140671).
Price: $100.00
No statement of printing.