The Crock of Gold.

STEPHENS, James.

$400.00

Item Number: 148485

London: Macmillan and Co., Limited, 1926.

Signed limited edition of this whimsical and philosophical novel. Quarto, quarter vellum over cloth boards with gilt titles to the spine, printed on hand-made paper, tissue-guarded frontispiece, with illustrations and decorations by Thomas Mackenzie. Boldly signed by the author on the limitations page, one of 525 copies. In near fine condition.

The Crock of Gold by James Stephens is a rich and imaginative novel that merges Irish folklore with philosophical inquiry, offering a blend of whimsy, satire, and existential reflection. The narrative centers on a leprechaun, his mystical quest, and a philosopher who seeks deeper truths about life and happiness, engaging with themes of materialism, spirituality, and the tension between the mundane and the magical. Through its playful use of myth and the absurd, the novel critiques social conventions while also exploring profound questions about the nature of human existence. Often celebrated for its lyrical prose and surreal tone, The Crock of Gold stands as a key work in early 20th-century Irish literature, blending elements of both modernism and traditional folklore.