Scarce first edition, beautifully bound in contemporary tree calf with gilt borders to boards and edges, and blind-stamped dentelles. Five raised bands to spine, elaborate gilt decoration and gilt-stamped leather labels. Marbled endpapers and page edges. A very attractive copy. Sixteen beautiful colour plates by Evelyn Paul, depicting subjects such as 'The Breaking of the Bow of Janaka', 'Prahlada Overcoming the Elephants', 'Draupadi Dragged from her Chamber' and 'Bhima Hurled his Mace with Fury'. The text block has been cut down during rebinding making the height of this book 7¾" rather than 8½" in the original binding. Tissue-guards have been added to protect the illustrations. There is a Bowden House School prize bookplate to the front pastedown. Occasional light foxing but contents o/w clean and crisp without annotations or other markings. Firmly bound. A few minor rubs to leather but in excellent condition and attractively bound. 18vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall.