In richly brown three-quarter Morocco binding, with marbled endpapers and gold detailing, this eleven-volume set of the third edition of Frazer's masterpiece study of folklore and mythology is truly remarkable.
First published in two volumes in 1890, then the second edition expanding to three volumes in 1900, this is an effective "first" of the expansive third edition which was published in twelve volumes (the twelfth is bound into the eleventh here) between 1906 and 1915.
One volume has a previous owner inscription, with the initial matching the golden GL embossed into the corner of each volume and mysteriously dated in 1908; some four years before the supposed publication of the book the inscription is in.
The top edge of each volume is gilded. The distinguished binding, by the illustrious George Bayntun Binders in Bath (some years before they combined with Riviere and thereby changing their makers marks, which these copies boast in the top corner of their endpapers) as well as the clear markings for the GL owner, make this set almost certainly a one-of-a-kind.
I have tried to provide as much pictoral information regarding publication dates as possible; as this edition was published over many years it is somewhat complicated. But as far as I can discern there was no other publication of the third edition until the 1950s, so this set is most certainly of the earliest publication. There are two videos provided also, as well as a video on the book on the Fool's Journey Books YouTube channel.
A few of the volumes have scratches or marks, specifically detailed in the photography provided. There is some light foxing. The final edition has some uncut pages.
