The Bayeux Tapestry

New York/London: Phaidon Press Limited, 1973. Charles H. Gibbs-Smith.... Keeper Emeritis, Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Foreword and extensive introduction by the author. The Bayeux 'Tapestry', in reality an embroidery 203 feet long, depicts in "comic-strip" - style the Norman version of the events leading to William the Conqueror's victory over the Anglo-Saxon Army in 1066. It was made within a dozen years after the Battle of Hastings, apparently in England, for William's half-brother Odo, Bishop of Bayeux. Charles Gibbs-Smith explains the techniques used in the making of the Tapestry, as well as its artistic and stylistic significance. The extensive notes on the plates (there are 55) describe and explain both the action of the various scenes and the amusing marginal figures, that are sometimes purely decorative, sometimes part of the main action, and in other places tell separate stories. The beautiful plates are in b/w and in colour. Chronology and select bibliography given. Dark green cloth boards.... gilt title print to spine. Book bright in its illustrated, price-intact dust jacket. A very nice copy.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Near Fine/Near Fine.