[Fine Binding | R.W. Smith (Club Bindery)] Under King Constantine

[Trask, Katrina]. Under King Constantine. New York: Anson D.F. Randolph and Company, New York, 1893. First edition. Full dark green crushed morocco Jansenist binding by R.W. Smith, with no decoration other than the title and two small ornaments to the second compartment of the spine. Russet brown morocco doublures with gilt borders, intertwined leafy sprays in gilt to each corner, with central crown ornament and sprays to each side. Brown morocco flyleaves with two fillet borders and “Faith Moore” lettered in gilt to front flyleaf. Top edge gilt, others uncut. Measures approx. 5.5" x 8.5". A few very minor spots of rubbing to corners of binding, some offsetting to endpapers behind flyleaves.

The author writes of her narrative poem in a prefatory note: "The following tales, which have no legendary warrant, are supposed to belong to the time, lost in obscurity, immediately subsequent to King Arthur's death; when, says Malory in the closing chapter of La Mort d'Arthure, 'Sir Constantine, which was Sir Fadors son of Cornwaile, was chosen king of England; and hee was a full noble knight, and worshipfully hee ruled this realme.'"

A beautiful example by the binder long associated with being the first member of the staff of the Club Bindery (along with Frank Mansell).