A CONNECTICUT YANKEE IN KING ARTHUR'S COURT

New York: Charles L. Webster & Company, 1889. First Edition. Classic novel in which a timeslipped engineer tries to modernize the world of Arthurian legend by means of his knowledge of technology and political economy. He enjoys moderate success before the forces of reaction strike back, with ferocity which brings the dream to an apocalyptic end. Very funny in parts, the comedy ultimately turns to highly effective tragedy in bleakly sardonic fashion. A masterpiece of fantasy" (Barron, Fantasy Literature: A Reader's Guide 2-152). BAL 3429; Wright III, 1090. Mixed State, lacking the S-like ornament on p.59, but with perfect type on the last two lines of p.72. Octavo (22cm); olive green cloth, with titling and pictorial elements stamped in gilt, black, and bluish-gray on spine and front cover; floral endpapers; xvi,17-575,[1] + [2]pp ads. Adhesive stamp at lower rear pastedown (used to identify subscription agents who sold a particular copy - this one letter "A 4007"). Trivial wear to spine ends, contemporary owners name rubber stamped on front flyleaf, with some faint, scattered dust-soil to upper edge of textblock; a few faint, tiny spots to lower front cover, and a few small rubbed spots to cloth at lower fore-edges; contents fresh, with hinges sound; Near Fine.