Bulfinch's Mythology – Thomas Bulfinch – Vintage Modern Library Hardcover

A wonderful vintage Modern Library hardcover of Bulfinch's Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch, bringing together the complete trilogy of The Age of Fable, The Age of Chivalry, and Legends of Charlemagne in one substantial illustrated volume.

The photographed title page identifies the book as Bulfinch's Mythology and lists the three major sections. Bibliographic records for this Modern Library format document 778 pages plus preliminary matter and 16 illustrated plates. The 1934 Modern Library edition is documented at 778 pages, while later undated printings used the same basic format.

The exact publication year of this particular copy is not confirmed from the photographed copyright/title pages, so I would not advertise it as a definite 1934 first edition. The physical format and publisher information are consistent with the vintage Modern Library 778-page editions, with comparable undated copies commonly dated approximately to the 1940s–1950s.

This is an especially attractive copy for someone who appreciates old books, mythology, classical literature, medieval legends, and authentic vintage-library décor. The two-tone cloth binding, black-and-gold Modern Library emblem, aged pages, illustrated plates, and wonderfully worn edges give it tremendous old-library character.

The book also contains a vintage illustrated bookplate/ex libris on the front pastedown, with handwriting/signature visible, adding a little extra history and personality to the copy.

Details

Title: Bulfinch's Mythology
Author: Thomas Bulfinch
Publisher: The Modern Library / Random House
Publication Date: Undated; likely mid-century / approximately 1940s–1950s, exact year not confirmed
Place of Publication: New York, New York
Edition: Vintage Modern Library edition; exact printing not confirmed
Format: Hardcover
Binding: Cloth-covered hardcover with two-tone Modern Library binding
Language: English
Pages: Approximately 778 pages, plus preliminary matter and illustrated plates
Size: Approximately 8vo
Subject: Mythology, folklore, classical literature, medieval legends
Genre: Mythology / Classic Literature / Folklore
Era: Mid-20th Century / Vintage
Country of Publication: United States
Country of Origin: United States 
ISBN: None; this vintage edition predates modern ISBN usage
Dust Jacket: Not present
Illustrations: Illustrated plates, including the photographed Charlemagne plate
Included: One vintage hardcover volume

The contents encompass the three major works traditionally collected as Bulfinch's Mythology: The Age of Fable, The Age of Chivalry, and Legends of Charlemagne. Bibliographic records document the Modern Library 778-page format and its 16 illustrated plates.

Condition: New Condition

Condition: Vintage New

Please note that this is a vintage book with substantial visible age and handling wear, and the photographs should be considered an important part of the condition description.

The cloth-covered boards show considerable age-related wear, rubbing, discoloration, fading, and surface marks. The corners and edges are worn, with noticeable fraying along portions of the top and bottom edges of the book.

The spine has visible wear and fraying, particularly toward the top and bottom, while the black-and-gold Modern Library emblem and spine lettering remain attractive and legible.

The interior pages show natural age toning, foxing/discoloration, and handling wear. Several pages have visible creases or folds, and the paper has the warm aged appearance expected of a vintage book of this period.

The photographed illustrated plates are present, including the large Charlemagne illustration shown toward the rear of the book.

There is also a vintage bookplate/ex libris attached to the inside front cover, with handwriting/signature visible. I would not attribute the signature to a particular person without further documentation.

The binding remains functional enough to display the book open, although this is clearly an aged and well-loved vintage copy rather than a pristine collector-condition example.

There is no dust jacket.

Because only selected pages are visible in the photographs, I would avoid guaranteeing completeness beyond what can reasonably be established from the photographs.

Please review all photographs carefully, as they are part of the description and show the actual item being offered.

Styling: This is a fantastic vintage-library and mythology display book.

The combination of the aged cloth binding, black-and-gold Modern Library emblem, substantial text block, antique-looking paper, illustrated plates, and worn vintage character makes this especially decorative.

It would work beautifully in:

• Traditional libraries
• Studies and home offices
• Bookshelf displays
• Cottage and cabin décor
• Dark academia interiors
• Gothic-inspired interiors
• Literary-themed spaces
• Vintage library collections
• Classical literature displays
• Mythology-themed décor
• Medieval-inspired interiors
• Eclectic bookshelves
• Vintage book stacks
• Collector displays
• Study and reading-room décor

The subject matter gives it especially strong appeal for anyone interested in:

Greek mythology • Roman mythology • Norse mythology • King Arthur • medieval legends • Charlemagne • folklore • classical literature • ancient gods and heroes • vintage books

The illustrated pages are an especially nice decorative feature, and the vintage bookplate gives this particular copy an additional sense of history.

This is less about pristine condition and more about the character, age, literary history, and decorative presence of an authentic vintage Modern Library volume.

Shipping: This is a substantial vintage hardcover and will be packaged carefully to help protect the worn cloth binding, corners, spine, and aged pages during transit.

It will be shipped securely in protective packaging to help prevent additional bending, scuffing, corner damage, or shipping-related wear.

Shipping costs are calculated at checkout and are paid by the buyer.

One of a kind. Once this Ugly Duckling finds its new home, it's gone.