FARADAY, W. Barnard. Pendragon [SIGNED AND INSCRIBED]. London: Methuen and Co. Ltd, (1930).

First Edition. Very scarce Arthurian novel in which "[King] Arthur, stripped of mythical trappings but not of romance, figures as the very human and very lovable saviour of Britain. Other half-legendary names, such as those of Merlin and Anurin, are also made real, and the story culminates in the heroic climax of Mount Badon, the last triumph of Roman--British chivalry against Saxon barbarism". Reprinted in 2003 and reviewed by Cindy Lynn Speer thusly: "A totally different take on the Arthurian tales, it kills the inevitable... we know there are points to which each Arthurian story hangs parts of its plot on... Arthur getting the sword, Guenevere and Lancelot, the final, terrible battle... these things are no longer definite. Sometimes what makes a story beloved is the familiarity. There's a comfort in knowing what comes next. (Heck, I can probably recite, word for word, the script to Excalibur.) But after a time, even re-interpretations of re-interpretations get stale. Pendragon does not suffer from this at all. The story, with its non-magical, completely historically researched base is completely new, and therefore a more pleasurable read. You are still spending time with Arthur and many of the familiar faces, while having the uncertainty that comes with reading a story for the very first time. Pendragon has been a popular, if rare, volume in the libraries of many Arthurian enthusiasts for years." This copy inscribed and signed by Faraday at half-title in 1949. Found in The New Arthurian Encyclopedia [Norris J. Lacy], A Companion to Romance [Corinne Saunders], The Arthurian Handbook [Norris J. Lacy], A Bibliography of Modern Arthuriana (1500 - 2000) [Ann F. Howey]. Very Good, cover mildly askew, front endpaper removed exposing webbing at front inner hinge (but still firm), in Very Good dustjacket, vertical crease at spine.

Price: $1,250.00