Description
For sale: a Rare and Exceptional first edition, first printing hardcover copy of The King’s Henchman by Edna St. Vincent Millay with a Poor dust jacket protected in a new archival wrap. First Edition stated, 1927 Harper and Brothers. True first printing with the B-B code and the First Edition statement on the copyright page. The Harper B-B code indicates the month (B – February) and the year (B = 1927) of the printing. The second printing still retained the B-B code because it was printed in the same month as the first printing.
The book exterior is in Near Fine condition with bright boards with a few light spots on the back, strong title ink on the sharp-edged paper label on a convex spine. Also, lightly soiled page blocks, tight binding, mild spine tilt, , mild edge wear, and lightly rounded corners. The interior of the book is also in Near Fine condition with an erased price on the half title page. No other marks, inscriptions, or other signs of ownership inside. The end papers and the interior pages are clean, supple and lightly toned, making this an excellent addition to any collection.
The dust jacket is in Poor condition with most of the spine missing. The front and back covers are moderately toned with mild surface wear , heavy edge wear and a gap on the back. Looks good in a new Brodart archival wrap.
The King’s Henchman is an English language libretto in three acts by Edna St. Vincent Millay for an opera composed by Deems Taylor. The libretto is based on both legend and historical figures documented in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle including Edgar the Peaceful, Elfrida of Devon, and Dunstan.
It tells the story of a love triangle between King Eadgar, his henchman Aethelwold, and Aelfrida, daughter of the Thane of Devon. It premiered on 17 February 1927 at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City in a performance conducted by Tullio Serafin.
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