THE VIRGIN OF THE SUN: A TALE OF THE CONQUEST OF PERU. London: C. Arthur Pearson Limited, 1898. Octavo, pp. [i-iv] v-xi [xii] [1] 2-306 [307: printer's imprint] [308: blank], inserted frontispiece with illustration by Stanley L. Wood, original pictorial green cloth, front panel stamped in gold and red, spine panel stamped in gold. First edition. Griffith's first attempt at serious fiction; a historical adventure novel of the conquest of Peru. "Written with some seriousness of purpose, and without the demands of serialization in mind, this is the most substantial and coherent of his later novels, but it cannot be described as an artistic success." – Stableford, Scientific Romance in Britain 1890-1955, p. 51. Locke, A Spectrum of Fantasy, p. 98. Bleiler (1978), p. 87. Not in Reginald (1979; 1992). Wolff 2800. Partial hairline cracks along inner hinges (endpapers created from a delicate laid paper stock prone to cracking along hinges; here less than usual), early owner's name and 1902 date in ink on front paste-down, a bright, near fine copy. A stunning copy. In custom black cloth open face slipcase. (#78007).
Price: $250.00
No statement of printing.