Popular Romances of the West of England; or, the Drolls, Traditions, and Superstitions of Old Cornwall collected and edited by Robert Hunt
$265.00
Popular Romances of the West of England; or, the Drolls, Traditions, and Superstitions of Old Cornwall collected and edited by Robert Hunt, published in 1871 Illustrated. Second edition, both volumes in one. 3/4 leather, Zaehnsdorf fine binding ‘signed’ with stamp at bottom edge of endpaper. Sections Include: The Giants, The Fairies, Changlings, The Pixies of Dartmoor, The Fairy Widower, The Mermaids, The Mermaids Rock, Fire Worship, Demons and Spectres, Sorcery and Witchcraft, How to Become a Witch, Death Superstition, etc. etc. In 1829 Hunt embarked on a 10 month walkling tour of his native Cornwall, gathering up “every existing tale of its ancient people”. He was peerless among the flock of county fieldbook chroniclers, availing himself of every opportunity to record. Notably, he unearthed a disappearing species, the droll-teller, an itinerant minstrel specializing in long, rambling, episodic narrative themes interspersed with songs, which were adapted to local situations, in the tradition of the medieval minstrel. This collection is his opus. Hardcover in beautiful brown leather, marbled boards and endpapers, raised bands, top edge gilt. Light shelfwear to corners and ends.
