The Sword in the Stone.

WHITE, T[erence] H[anbury].

$2,250.00

Item Number: 146106

London: Collins, 1938.

First edition of the first volume in the White’s tetralogy, The Once And Future King. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in a very good dust jacket with expert restoration to the extremities, name to the front pastedown and front free endpaper. A very sharp example.

T.H. White drew inspiration from both Malory’s Morte d’Arthur and his own experiences as a schoolmaster when creating the story of the young, future king and Merlyn, his magical tutor. “The characterizations are exceptionally fine and the story has a perfect blend of humor and sentimentality” (Anatomy of Wonder 5-318). “Few would deny its romance and humanity” (An English Library, 56). Although White substantially revised the book for its 1958 inclusion in The Once and Future King, this original version remains “one of the finest children’s fantasies of the 20th century” (Clute & Grant). Walt Disney made an animated movie adaptation of The Sword in the Stone, first released on December 25, 1963. It was awarded the Retro-Hugo Award for Best Novel for 1939.