The Voiage and Travaile of Sir John Maundevile, Kr. Which Treateth of the Way to Hierusalem; and of Marvayles of Inde, with other Ilands and Countryes

London: Edward Lumley, 1839. Reprinted from the Edition of A.D. 1725. Hardcover. Good+ condition. Octavo. xiv, 326 [2]pp. Original green cloth with gilt emblem and blind-stamped double framing on cover, blind-stamped on back cover, and gilt lettering and tooling on spine. Yellow endpapers. Frontispiece engraving. Engraved vignette on title page. With editor's preface to the edition of 1727 (with crest), introduction, and prolog. Published from a manuscript in the Cottonian Library (MS. Cotton. Tit. C. xvi). Notes and glossary at rear. With two pages of publisher's titles at rear. Beautifully illustrated with in-text woodcuts throughout.

"It is not certain whether the book’s true author ever traveled at all, since he selected his materials almost entirely from the encyclopedias and travel books available to him, including those by William of Boldensele and Friar Odoric of Pordenone. The author enriched these itineraries with accounts of the history, customs, religions, and legends of the regions visited, culled from his remarkably wide reading, transforming and enlivening the originals by his literary skill and genuine creative imagination. The lands that he describes include the realm of Prester John, the land of darkness, and the abode of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel, all legendary. Although in his time “Mandeville” was famous as the greatest traveler of the Middle Ages, in the ensuing age of exploration he lost his reputation as a truthful narrator." (Britannica)

Binding with some wear along edges, bumped at foredge corners and small chips and closed tears at head of spine. Illustrated bookplate of Condover Hall on inside front cover. Previous owner's names inked to front free endpaper. Few pencil notes and markings in text block. Some light sporadic damp-staining throughout. (Inventory #: 54994)