Egil's Saga (Signed).

EDDISON, E.R.

London: Cambridge University Press, 1930.

First edition / First printing. Hardcover. A near fine copy in a near fine dust jacket. Item #2533

A retelling of the Icelandic saga by one of the preeminent fantasy novelists of his time, the author of The Worm Ouroboros and Styrbiorn the Strong in the 1920s, and Mistress of Mistresses in 1935. Inscribed by Eddison to Walter de la Mare: "Dear Mr. de la Mare, I hope that you will humour me by accepting, as from one frequentor of desert islands to another, this book. I speak of my share in it: for the Great Saga itself, whose portrait I have really tried to paint & to frame, can only confer honour upon anybody connected with it, living or dead. So at least it seems to me, after five years' living at close quarters with it. Yours very truly, E.R. Eddison. 26th Oct. 1930." De la Mare's bookplate front pastedown. A wonderful association copy: De la Mare was noted for his books for children, and in particular his interest in imagination and what he called the "visionary" view of life that children experienced. Eddison's inscription alludes to the shared explorations of reality that a fantasy author and a poet and novelist writing for children would hold in common. A little spotting to endpages and page edges; near fine in a near fine, lightly handled and mildly spine-tanned dust jacket. A very attractive copy of a little-known work by an important fantasy author -- the work itself having been influential over the years in the development of both children's literature and fantasy literature -- and one of the best possible association copies of it.