M. G. Lewis [Matthew Lewis] — The Monk. A Romance.

London , Privately Printed [B. Fawcett and Co.], c1890 . Leather. A scarce limited edition of Mathew Lewis's infamous and celebrated gothic novel, in beautiful half crushed morocco Zaehnsdorf bindings. A scarce late nineteenth century Limited Edition of Lewis's gothic novel, with each volume numbered twenty-two out of three-hundred copies produced. However, the print run was in fact limited to sixty. In sumptuous signed half crushed morocco bindings by Zaehnsdorf, and illustrated with a portrait frontispiece of Lewis to volume I.Large paper copy.An unabridged reprint of the scarce 1795 first edition of Lewis's work, published anonymously before the author turned twenty. Reviewed by Coleridge as 'the offspring of no common genius', Lewis tells the tail of a corrupted and lustful monk named Ambrosio and his pursuit of the virtuous young Antonia - who is actually his sister - with the aid of the cross-dressing Matilda, an agent of the devil.Undated; dated c1890 via Jisc and WorldCat. With the armorial bookplate of British peer and politician Oliver Brett to front pastedowns.A beautifully bound and scarce limited edition of Lewis's controversial gothic novel, condemned in its day for its depictions of sexual desire in a genre associated with female readership. In half crushed morocco signed bindings, with marbled paper covered boards and gilt detailing to spines. Light rubbing to volume I raised bands, with areas of light discolouration to front board of volume II. Armorial bookplates to front pastedowns. Internally, firmly bound. Pages clean and bright. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: None. Very Good Indeed .