Myth and Legend in Literature and Art
A Series by The Gresham Publishing Company Ltd.
1912-1931
Important Note - Copyright disclaimer can be found at the bottom of this page.
In 1912 the Gresham Publishing Company began publishing a series of works which it titled ‘Myth and Legend in Literature and Art’. The books are comprised of three editions and can be distinguished by their beautiful bindings detailed thus
1st Edition - Produced in an elaborate art nouveau style on olive boards with gold page ends on the top side, published between 1912 and 1917.
2nd Edition - Produced in a more modest art deco style, again on olive boards and gold page ends on the top, published between 1917 and 1924.
3rd Edition - Produced with new modest artwork to cover and spine on much darker green/blue boards and black page ends on the top, published between 1924 and 1928.
Another feature that distinguishes the editions is the inclusion of two additional volumes for the second edition, and a further five volumes in the third edition. The first edition was comprised of 8 volumes, the second edition of 10 volumes and finally the third edition was comprised of 15 volumes. After many years I have managed to collect all 33 books as well as a private publisher only book that was used when door to door salesmen were trying to sell the second edition.
The third edition was the final one produced by Gresham under the series title of Myth & Legend in Literature and Art. By 1936 The Gresham Library of Knowledge was their new endeavour. This encyclopaedic collaboration was broad reaching however and to the best of my knowledge so far only included the first volume, Classic Myth & Legend, in the collection alongside volumes regarding science, the art and poetry.
The First Edition
1912-1917
In the first edition information on the order of the books can be gleaned from the first page, which lists the books that are to be included. This however comes with the caveat that whilst the publisher was consistent with the order, they were not consistent with the list itself across all the books.
In volumes 1-3 the first page lists volumes 1-6 as the complete series whilst in volume 4 there is only listed volumes 1-4 inclusive. In volume 5 is listed volumes 1-6 again whereas in volume 6 we see the first inclusion of the two later books giving us a full list of volumes 1-8. In volume 7 there is only listed volumes 1-7 and in volume 8 is listed (add once you get the book). The order has been further confused by the dating of Indian Myth & Legend which on Wikipedia is listed as 1919 in the entry for the author. There is no reference to the source of this date, and I feel that given the evidence in the actual series itself this is in fact a mistake, the correct date sitting somewhere from 1913-1915 with the date of 1919 referring to the later second edition.
This inconsistency in ordering has led some to believe that there are only 6 volumes, or 4 volumes if they only currently own volume 4 due to the first page being the only source of information. The complete first edition is in fact 8 volumes as shown.
The Second Edition
1917 - 1924
When looking at the second edition things are a little easier. The entire edition was originally comprised of 10 volumes, with volumes 1-8 all having the same first page detailing 8 volumes in the correct order, and at no point mentioning the 2 volumes that were clearly added later.
Volume 9 has a front page listing only volumes 1-8 with only volume 10 lists all 10 in its front page. Given that the publishing dates of the last 2 volumes are seven years after the first edition of volume 8 that tells us that the second edition was produced sometime between 1917 and 1924 with volumes 9 and 10 added in 1924 respectively.
The Third Edition
1924 - 1928
A third edition was published which included a further five volumes. The final three volumes on Israel are the only books in the whole series that contain a date on the title pages, that of 1928 and so it is assumed these were the last and that 1928 was the final year of the series. They retained the same art deco approach to the design but instead opted for a blue/green cloth binding instead of the previous green (although the binding with age has turned a dark brown/green in most if not all copies the book in the centre of the photograph of Myths of Crete and Pre-Hellenic Europe gives you the closest look at their original colour). The design is the same as those found on the second edition but this time inverted, a design choice likely to give the embellishment more prominence on a darker book cloth. Internally the books retain all the same design features, same title plates and same prolific and beautiful artwork throughout.
Volume 1 - Classic Myth & Legend
A. R. Hope Moncrieff
1912
In this volume the body of Greek Mythology is dealt with on a comprehensive plan; the whole field is covered; and his narrations the author is singularly successful in retaining the spell which has held hearers and readers entranced from the days of Homer downwards.
Volume 2 - Celtic Myth and Legend, Poetry & Romance
Charles Squire
1912
In this volume the reader is made acquainted with the gods and heroes of Celtic mythology, with Cuchulainn, Finn and the Fenians, Ossian, Deirdre, Diarmid, Arthur and his Knights, and others worthy to rank with the great figures of classical mythology.
Volume 3 - Teutonic Myth & Legend
Donald A. Mackenzie
1912
In this volume the reader is afforded a comprehensive survey of the literature of the Teutonic peoples, which grew up at various periods and in different districts under the inspiring influence of common tribal conditions.
Volume 4 - Romance & Legend of Chivalry
A. R. Hope Moncrieff
1912
Some knowledge of the old romances is necessary to an understanding of English literature. Not only is it true that in these romances, with their delineation of character and emotion, we see the beginnings of the novel, that the “sentiment” of modern fiction can be traced back to Chrestien de Troyes, but the names of the great romantic figures - the Arthurs and Galahads - are constantly met with today, like a musical motif.
Volume 5 - Egyptian Myth & Legend
Donald A. Mackenzie
1913
This volume deals the complex mythology and fascinating folk-stories of the ancient Egyptians. A vast period of time is covered, and, to enable students to follow with interest the growth and development of Egyptian beliefs, the author has told the story of the ancient civilisation from its remote beginnings until the Greek Age.
Volume 6 - Indian Myth & Legend
Donald A. Mackenzie
1913-1915?
In this volume the stories of these great epics are related with full appreciation of their literary and historic interest. The myths about the gods are also dealt with in relation to their origin and growth and present day significance.
Volume 7 - Myths of Babylonia & Assyria
Donald A. Mackenzie
1915
In this volume the myths and legends of Babylonia and Assyria Are set forth with some fullness, and form an informative historical narrative reflecting the civilisation in which they developed.
Volume 8 - Myths of Crete & Pre-Hellenic Europe
Donald A. Mackenzie
1917
This volume has for its chief topic the mythic lore connected with the ancient civilisation of Crete, upon which a flood of light has of late years been thrown by the labours of Sir Arthur Evans and others.
Volume 9 - Myths of China & Japan
Donald A. Mackenzie
1924
In this volume Mr. Mackenzie deals comprehensively with the fascinating myths of China and Japan, and shows how these throw light on the origin and growth of civilisation.
Volume 10 - Myths of Pre-Columbian America
Donald A. Mackenzie
1924
In this volume Mr. Mackenzie deals with the myths and religious practices of pre-Columbian America in their relation to habits of life and the growth of civilisation.
Volume 11 - Myths from Melanesia & Indonesia
Donald A. Mackenzie
1926
Volume 12 - Myths and Traditions of the South Sea Islands
Donald A. Mackenzie
1926
Volume 13 - Myths and Legend of Ancient Israel 3 Vol
Angelo S. Rappoport
1928
The Specimen Book
Over the years, whilst collecting these various books and putting together the three editions I stumbled across a particular rarity that I am beginning to wonder had been a one-off. At an auction house I saw what was listed as a Gresham Publishing Specimen Book. Blind embossed on the books cover is ‘Myth and Legend in Literature and Art’, whilst on the spine is embossed ‘Myths’ in white. Inside the front cover is tipped a plate stating, ‘This specimen book is the property of The Gresham Publishing Company Ltd. London’ and the title page states ‘Prospectus, Specimen Pages and Plates’ above the books title.
As with all the other volumes no date is provided although the first page again details the series, listing volumes 1-10 which helps us place this book sometime between 1924 and 1930, prior to the publication of the third edition. The first section is the prospectus itself, giving a brief synopsis of each volume, done in alphabetical order. The following section provides the preface, contents and first few pages of each book accompanied by a large selection of the art plates for each volume.
At the back of the book are four pages titled ‘List of Subscribers’ with columns for names and addresses. Following these is a fascinating pull out concertina that includes hardback replicas of the front cover of the first volume and then the spines of volumes 1-10, reproduced accurately and allowing prospective buyers to see how the books would look upon a shelf. It is clear this book was intended to be taken to a potential buyers home by a salesman of the company, the concertina being used to show the wonderful design of the second edition.
In all my searching since I have never seen another copy of this specimen book, and there is no mention of its existence in any literature that I can find. Whilst improbable, it is not impossible that this may be a single copy, or certainly one of a small number as these were not for public ownership. Below are a number of photographs of the specimen book.
In completion the series is made up of fifteen volumes that cover a tremendous range of traditions and localities. The sheer volume of information that this series contains makes any edition of these books a worthwhile addition to any library. Many modern day reissues of these books are available and affordable although of an expected lower quality. The art plates that these books contain have become a staple in hundreds of books that have followed since, as has the texts themselves, being prolifically referenced in more recent works.
I have done my best to only present accurate and verifiable details here, with speculation being clearly stated as such. If any readers know of any other sources of information regarding these books then please do get in touch using the contact form on this website. I hope you have enjoyed this little insight into what has been an interesting journey of discovery so far.
Dedication
This page and this collection of books is dedicated to my mother, Linda Yates (1952-2017). It was the first edition copy of Volume 4: Indian Myth & Legend on her bookshelf that started this journey, an adventure we undertook together once we discovered that there was in fact many other books in this collection. It was her relentless searching that discovered the specimen book in an obscure auction house in Australia, her excitement uncontainable that such a find would be added to the ever growing archive. Unfortunately we did not manage to complete the collection before she passed away but I was determined to complete it in her honour, and now it is.
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