The Mabinogion: Medieval Welsh Romances Translated by Lady Charlotte Guest Bulmer Hobson's Copy

The Mabinogion is a collection of eleven tales that weaves Welsh mythology, magic and traditional stories. It was first translated into English by Lady Charlotte Guest, published in seven volumes between 1838 and 1845. The stories were compiled in Middle Welsh during the 12th & 13th centuries from earlier oral traditions. They appear in two medieval Welsh manuscripts, the White Book of Rhydderch or Llyfr Gwyn Rhydderch, and the Red Book of Hergest or Llyfr Coch Hergest.

'So they took the blossoms of the oak, and the blossoms of the broom, and the blossoms of the meadow-sweet, and produced from them a maiden, the fairest and most graceful that man ever saw. And they baptized her, and gave her the name of Blodeuwedd.’

London: J. M. Dent & Co, Everyman's Library, c1905. Small hardcover. 440pp. Bulmer Hobson's copy, the Irish Republican and writer, with his name stamp and signature to first title pages.  Publishers blue boards with gilt titles and decoration to spine, light wear to cloth, edges worn, spine faded and marked, light internal foxing. A very good copy.