Dragons and Dragon Lore (Signed First Edition)

New York: Payson & Clarke, Limited , 1928. Stated First Printing at copyright page. 1928 at title and copyright pages. Superbly written rarity from Ernest Ingersoll, author of Birds in Legend, Fable and Folklore, &c. Beautifully inscribed by Ernest Ingersoll at front endpaper: "To a friend of many days - Ernest Ingersoll. New York, May 4, 1928". Intriguing cellular or floral patterned boards in hues of light blue, red and varying browns, light shelf wear. Deep dark brown cloth spine wrap, crisp red impressed spine titles and dragon symbol, fine. Frontispiece plate of classic design: "The Persian hero Gushtap killing the dragon. From a Persian edition of Firdausi's poem, Shah Namah, seventeenth century". Pages near fine, clean; no writing. Deep red top-stain. Illustrated throughout with iconic and ancient symbols, photography, etc. Bind fine; hinges intact. Rare original beige wrapper, moderate edge wear, rub; unclipped 3.50, protected in new clear sleeve. Wrapper features reddish-brown titles and designs. Front panel w/titles and ornate olden circular dragon design; spine w/titles and repeating ancient Asian style beast from spine. Front flap features summary; back flap and panel feature summary descriptions of absorbing titles available from Payson & Clarke. Sharp near fine signed first edition in original near very good wrapper. The dragon is the earliest known mythological creature in recorded history. In the Western World it has figured romantically in legend, literature, sculpture and painting in all times and all countries. It is sometimes a benevolent beast, sometimes a god, sometimes a demon. Descended from the snake, the lion, the eagle, falcon and hawk, its form and appearance vary as greatly as its character, from country to country. Mr. Ingersoll has searched its origin and traced its development with a grace that does not hide his erudition, and has achieved a book whose strict and comprehensive marshalling of facts will recommend itself to the scholar, while his clear style and unusual subject matter appears no less to the more caually interested reader. Features an introduction by Henry Fairfield Osborn of the American Museum of Natural History, dated December 20, 1927. Contents include: "Introduction; Contents; Illustration Contents w/Detailed Descriptors; I Birth of the Dragon; II Wanderings of the Young Dragon; III Indian Nagas and Draconic Prototypes; IV The Divine Spirit of the Waters; V Draconic Grandparents; VI The Dragon as a Rain-God; VII Korean Water and Mountain Spirits; VIII "The Men of the Dragon Bones:; IX The Dragon in Japanese Art; X The Dragon's Precious Pearl; XI The Dragon Invades the West; XII The 'Old Serpent' and His Progeny; XIII Welsh Romances and English Legends; XIV The Dragon and the Holy Cross; XV To the Glory of St. George; a Bibligraphy; and, a detailed Index." From title page: "There's no such thing in nature, and you'll draw a faultless monster which the world ne'er saw." Set in Twelve point Garamond on the Linotype, and printed and bound by Braunworth & Co., Inc., Brooklyn, New York. 203 pages. Insured post.. Signed by Author. First Edition. Hard Cover. Fine/Very Good. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" Tall.