THE LANTERN BEARERS. Sybil Andrews' Copy, Signed.
London: Oxford University Press, 1959. First Edition (& 1st printing). Original purple cloth lettered in gilt on spine panel. Octavo, 252 pp. Illustrated by Charles Keeping. Anglo-Canadian Artist Sybil Andrews' copy, signed by her (twice) on the front free endpaper and at head of the title leaf "Sybil Andrews-Morgan / Her Book" . Sybil has also annotated the dated "410 - 430 A.D." on the title leaf, written a half-page note in pen on the usage and earliest origin of the word 'Stirrups' on a blank leaf preceding the first page of the text, and has made several notes towards an Index in pen and pencil on the rear flyleaf. There are numerous small notes and markings to the text in pencil in her hand (on about 20 pages; and some laid in press clippings related to the text in two places - on page 68 the text refers to the "low, marshy shores of Tanatu", she has laid in a clipping and titles it "Tanatus Headland Field 8.10.64"; on page 112 the text refers to "Yr Widdfa standing like a king in their midst", she has underlined this and written "Snowdon itself" in the margin and laid in a clipping from the Dec 22, 1972 issue of the TLS "For Snowdon's Sake" where she has underlined the text "Yr Wyddfa, the mountain Snowdon itself", as well as tipping in a clipped image of Yr Widdfa taken from Field, 20.6.74. Aside from Sybil's marking-ups this copy is a lovely fine copy in a near fine unclipped dust jacket which has a few short closed tears (no loss). A treasure. Item #314472
¶ THE LANTERN BEARERS is a historical novel for children by Rosemary Sutcliff, set in Roman Britain during the 5th century. It is the story of a British Roman's life after the final withdrawal of Roman troops (around 410 A.D.). Sutcliff won the 1959 Carnegie Medal for this work, awarded by the Library Association for the best English-language book for children or young adults. It is the third novel in her "Roman Britain" trilogy, following THE EAGLE OF THE NINTH and THE SILVER BRANCH.
Sybil Andrews (1898 - 1992) was an English-Canadian artist who specialised in printmaking and is best known for her modernist linocuts. Andrews was married to Walter Morgan, hence her use of the hyphonated name. In 1947, Andrews and Morgan moved to Canada and settled in a small cottage in Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, where they made ends meet building and repairing boats.Rediscovered in the art world during the 1970s and 1980s, Andrews became a local celebrity and spent the rest of her life working, painting and teaching. Her artwork is fabulous, highly-respected and esteemed. When asked the reason why she and Walter left England after the war she stated that Sybil replied that "she and Walter decided to leave England due to the poor British economy after World War II and the rigid British class system which resulted in her and Walter having little opportunity for a better life there". Sybil then stated that the reason why she and Walter bought their seaside home in Campbell River was because "she found the views from the house and property of the ocean, the Islands of Desolation Sound, and the B.C. coastal mountains majestic and inspiring"
Price (CAD): $750.00