"OUTSTANDING"

COSTAIN, Thomas B. The Silver Chalice. Garden City, New York: Doubleday, (1952). Octavo, modern full brown calf, elaborately gilt-decorated spine, raised bands, red and green morocco spine labels, pictorial endpapers, all edges gilt. $400.

First trade edition, issued the same year as a signed limited edition, of Costain's "outstanding historical novel" (New York Times), based on legends about Christ’s crucifixion, handsomely bound by Bayntun-Rivere.

"An outstanding historical novel" (New York Times), Costain's The Silver Chalice, "based on legends of the years following Christ's crucifixion, describes the life of Basil, the artisan who fashioned the silver chalice" (Yaakov & Greenfieldt, 148). The novel richly displays Costain's "magnificent talent for breathing life into history… It will make real for thousands, perhaps for the first time, the whole world of the New Testament" (Chicago Sunday Tribune). Basis for the 1954 film starring Paul Newman in his film debut as Basil. Issued the same year as a signed limited edition (750 copies), no priority established. Cartographic endpapers bound in at rear. Bookplate.

A fine copy.