The Voiage and Travaile of Sir John Maundevile Kt. which Treateth of the Way to Jerusalem and of Marvayles of Inde, with other Ilands and Countryes.

The sole printing of this limited edition published by Random House [Grabhorn Press], New York in 1928. This is number '94' of only 150 copies issued. The BOOK is in near Fine condition and housed on the publisher's original fleece lined slipcase. Original half tan morocco and wood boards, title blind-stamped to the spine. Folio (14.25 x 9.5 inches). Slight rubbing to the hinges and boards. Free from inscriptions. Two small neat 'bibliotheque' stamps to the verso of the front cover and title page, otherwise internally in lovely condition. The slipcase is complete but has some minor splitting in places, a little rubbing and ghosting to the rear panel. Illustrated with 31 woodblock prints and 34 decorative initials which are hand-illuminated in red, gold, and blue by Valenti Angelo. A very handsome edition of this famed compilation of voyages which first appeared around 1366. Maundevile claimed to have travelled through Turkey, Persia, Arabia, Syria, North Africa and Indian himself, but modern scholars have ascertained that the work was largely gathered from various literary sources. Printed from the English edition of 1725. The type, designed and cut by Rudolph Koch, was used for the first time in America in this book. Printed at the Grabhorn Press and initially planned to be offered for sale by them, Random House was so impressed they bought the entire run and published it themselves. 'In a period of 34 years, Valenti Angelo decorated and illustrated roughly 250 books. Among these were folio editions of Walt Whitman's 'Leaves of Grass', 'The Travels of Sir John Mandeville', and numerous books of the Bible. Many of these books have been included in the annual American Institute of Graphic Arts exhibitions since 1927. In 1939, Angelo won the Newbery Honor for Nino. Extremely scarce. More images available on request. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact. More images avlable on request. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.