Words of Mercury.

FERMOR, Patrick Leigh; Edited by Artemis Cooper.

$450.00

Item Number: 78903

London: John Murray, 2003.

Early printing of this collection of essays by Leigh Fermor. Octavo, original boards. Signed by Leigh Fermor on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket designed by Octavius Murray. Edited by Artemis Cooper.

Patrick Leigh Fermor was only 18 years old when he set off to walk from the Hook of Holland to Constantinople. It was during these early wanderings that he started to pick up languages, and where he developed his extraordinary sense of the continuity of history. Whether he is drawing portraits in Vienna or sketching Byron's slippers in Missolonghi, his touch in unmistakable. Its infectious enthusiasm is driven by an insatiable curiosity and an omnivorous mind—all inspired by a passion for words and language. "He makes exotic and entertaining friends wherever he goes, has read everything, been everywhere and writes like a dream" (Times).