Apuleius, Lucius (c.124–c.170) ; Graves, Robert (1895–1985) – Translator

The Golden Ass [Signed Limited Edition, Robert Graves Translation, Fine Press Penguin Production]

Middlesex: Penguin, 1950. Limited Edition. Hardcover with dust jacket and slipcase. #1954/2000. A finely produced limited edition of Apuleius’ classic Roman novel, presented here in Robert Graves’ influential modern English translation.

Issued by Penguin as a special signed edition, this volume combines classical literature with mid-century British book design, featuring high-quality paper, restrained typography, and traditional marbled endpapers, all housed in a matching slipcase.

KEY FEATURES
+++ Visuals: Hand-marbled paper endpapers in red, black, and cream; clean typographic title pages.
+++ Binding: Publisher’s cream cloth boards with smooth pale vellum-like spine panel, gilt titling to spine; housed in the original slipcase with issued dust jacket.
+++ Content: Complete text of Apuleius’ The Golden Ass, including the celebrated tale of Cupid and Psyche, translated by Robert Graves.
+++ Associated Names: Signed by Robert Graves on the limitation page.

CONDITION: Fine -- The book is clean, bright, and tight with no flaws or blemishes, presenting as gift quality. Dust jacket is Very Good+ with even age toning and a faint rub at the top of the spine. Slipcase is solid and intact, showing light age toning consistent with mid-century materials.
+++ Imprint: Penguin Books limited signed edition, typography and binding designed by Jan Tschichold; printed by Silk & Terry Ltd.
+++ Specs: 7.5 inches tall; x, 198, [1] pages.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Lucius Apuleius’ The Golden Ass stands as the only complete Latin novel to survive from antiquity, offering a vivid blend of satire, mythology, eroticism, and religious transformation. Its episodic structure and fantastical tone influenced later European narrative traditions, from Renaissance romance through modern magical realism.

Robert Graves’ translation, first published in the mid-20th century, brought renewed literary attention to Apuleius by emphasizing narrative clarity, wit, and psychological depth. This signed Penguin limited edition reflects a moment when Penguin Books sought to bridge classical scholarship and fine press sensibility, making canonical texts both accessible and collectable.

SUBJECTS: Classical Roman Literature, Latin Novels, Mythology, Cupid and Psyche, Classical Translation, Ancient Rome

Item #21527

Price: $175.00