First edition. Format, large octavo, 243mm. Physical description, [4] v - xii,1 - 399 [1]. With a half title. Plates [32] including a frontispiece, all in colour, each with a numbered tissue guard. Top edges gilt. Uncut. Contents clean, bright and fresh. Light calf binding with yapp edges over limp card boards, the upper cover with a dark stain at the head, and an embossed image of Ganesha, the elephant headed Hindu god, in the centre, the spine with the title and author's in blind. Yellow limp card endpapers. This is probably a publisher's De Luxe binding which are usually limited in the numbers of copies produced, however there is no limitation note in this example. Overall a very good plus copy. This is a very comprehensive and well researched book which looks in great detail at the myths and legends of Hinduism and Buddhism.