Dragons and Dragon Lore.
New York: Payson & Clarke, 1928. First Edition. Hardcover. Octavo. xii + 204pp. Quarter black cloth with patterned papered boards; gilt titling to spine; coloured top edge, b&w illustrations, bibliography and index. This copy inscribed and SIGNED by the author on the front blank: "Very sincerely, Ernest Ingersoll, New York October, 1928". The first edition of this popular "study of the history of the Dragon Myth which, now largely confined to China, once spread all over Asia and Europe, as dominant not only in mythology but entering even into the early teachings of Christianity, as so many other pagan myths have done." Contents: 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. Spine lightly rubbed with titling quite dulled, corners and spine ends bruised and lightly chafed. Bump to bottom corner of the front board has left a superficial crack/crease across the lower corner of the front pastedown and corresponding ripple to the surface of the board (this is nowhere near as bad as it sounds, and is mainly visible from the inside, at the pastedown). Rear endpaper split at hinges but but boards still firmly attached. Edges a bit darkened with some modest flecking, pages toned but clean and unmarked. Despite some flaws - an unmarked SIGNED VG copy that presents much better than the list of its problems would suggest (no dust jacket). Now in custom mylar cover. Item #67890
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