PEAKE, Mervyn (1911-1968)

[The Gormenghast Trilogy, comprising] Titus Groan; Gormenghast, [and] Titus Alone

London: Eyre & Spottiswoode [through 1959], 1946. First Edition. Hardcover. A superb set of this fantasy series, rivaling in its compelling verbal creation of an imaginary world even Lord of the Rings. First Impressions in matching publisher's red cloth, spines stamped in gold, in the iconic dust jackets illustrated by Peake. Tall 8vo: 453; 454; 223,[1]pp, with title-page vignettes and head and tail pieces by the author. Titus Groan: edges and end papers lightly foxed, else Near Fine or better; Fine Second Impression jacket (as often), priced 15s. (Far too few jackets were printed for the first impression, so second-impression jackets, then in press, were also used.) Gormenghast: Virtually pristine (probably unread), small smudge to base of spine, Fine jacket, priced 18' with publisher's sticker. Titus Alone: Fine, in Fine jacket, priced 21s. In all, excellent examples. Cawthorn & Moorcock, p. 137. Currey, p. 400. Locke I, pp. 173-74. Fine- / Fine. Item #BB1626

Gormenghast is a remote and reclusive earldom dominated by a sprawling, decaying castle with mud huts clustered at its base. It has been ruled since time immemorial by the noble family of Groan. Peake's story opens with the birth of Titus Groan to Lord Sepulchrave, the melancholic 76th Earl, and his countess, Gertrude. The second volume, Gormenghast, takes up the story of Titus Groan at the age of seven, and Titus Alone recounts Titus’s experiences beyond the confines of Gormenghast, in a world not unlike our own. Peake had intended to continue the series with at least two more books, tentatively titled Titus Awakes and Gormenghast Revisited, when he died at age 57. "Titus Groan has puzzled its readers and flummoxed critics by failing to conform to any established genre. Attempts to find a 'meaning' or relevance to the contemporary world have so far proved unsuccessful." (Literary Encyclopedia) N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, with dust jackets carefully preserved in archival, removable mylar sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).

Price: $1,399.00