THE COMPLETE WORKS OF FRANÇOIS VILLON Translated With an Introduction and Notes by J. U. Nicolson

2 volumes. FIRST AND LIMITED EDITION, One of only 960 copies hand-numbered and SIGNED by the translator, J. U. Nicolson. Illustrated by Alexander King on stiff-paper plates in brown and sepias, text within ruled boarders printed in burgundy. Tall, thick 8vos, in the original bright red cloth, with gilt lettering panel on the front covers, spines gilt lettered, t.e.g. [v], 431; [111] 434-899 pp. A fine set, untrimmed and with a few sections still unopened, the bindings bright and sturdy with no fading to the red, a bit of very minor rubbing to the edges.

Edizione: a definitive collection of villon in english, and a handsome production by covici, friede. the 15th century french poet and troubadour is the best known french poet of the late middle ages. his poetry chronicles his adventurous, and often scandalous, life. he was also a rebellious figure and a perpetual rogue who spent much of his life involved in criminal activity. villon's turbulent life, which included bar brawls, theft, banishment, and near execution, often found its way into his writing.<br> nicholson's translation provides us with a duel-language edition, the french printed on the left and the english on the right. this allows readers to compare villon's original poems with their english translation. nicolson has also prefaced the translation with a biographical study of villon's life. to maintain the somewhat bawdy and common tone of the original poems, nicholson's translation is unusual for it use of modern slang, such as the phrase "ok". it was a somewhat controversial stylistic choice among academic circles.<br> alexander king's dark and often violent illustrations also pay tribute to the ruffian lifestyle which inspired the poetry.<br>