La légende de Keret : roi des Sidoniens [Mission de Ras-Shamra, Tome II]

Virolleaud, Charles (Ed.). La légende de Keret : roi des Sidoniens [Mission de Ras-Shamra, Tome II]. Paris: Librairie Orientaliste Paul Geuthner, 1936. First edition. Quarto (11 x 8 3/4″). 102, [2]pp (Text), 4 leaves (Plates). Modern light blue-green cloth, with black lettering to spine.

Illustrated with four leaves of plates (including two photogravures), this first edition and first French translation of the “Legend of Keret,” an ancient Ugaritic epic poem, dated to Late Bronze Age, circa 1500-1200 BC. recounts the myth of King Keret of Hubur.

The epic story of Keret is contained in three rectangular clay tablets, excavated by a team of French archaeologists in Ugarit (modern Ras Shamra), Syria in 1930-31.

Minor and sporadic soiling to binding. Ex-library copy, with reference sticker at upper front joint and tail of spine, stamp at top and bottom paper edges, bookplate on inside of front cover and pocket at rear. Text in French. Binding in overall good+, interior in very good condition. g+ to vg. Hardcover. (46672) $95