First edition thus of The Rime of The Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, illustrated by Carol Moran.
Written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, illustrated by Carol Moran. First edition thus, 1977. Albatross Publishing, Vancouver, BC.
Albatross Publishing created a program titled "To Children, With Respect" to introduce young readers of the 1970s to classic poetry and prose. Ancient Mariner was the first of these books, and "Lochinvar" by Sir Walter Scott and other classics were to follow. As far as I can tell, the project began and ended with the Ancient Mariner.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772 - 1834), one of the greatest of the English poets, employed common language in his poems, an important, and permanent influence.
However, the Rime of the Ancient Mariner was criticized at the time for some of its archaic language, making it difficult to read even for poets like Wordsworth, who suggested a plainer-language version, which Coleridge published in 1817.
The poem endures as a cautionary tale.
After the mariner and his crew set sail on their last voyage, their initial good luck runs out, and a storm drives the ship to the Antarctic where it becomes stuck in an ice jam. An albatross, a sign of good fortune, leads them out of the ice, but the mariner shoots it, to the outrage of his crew. As they predicted, nothing good comes of it, and in the end he loses the crew and his ship, and is cursed to wonder forever, stopping to tell his tale to whoever will listen. The story begins when he stops a bridegroom on his way to his wedding and tells him his story of adventure, calamity, and supernatural forces.
This is where we get the expression to have an albatross hung around one's neck.
The interesting multi-media illustrations by Canadian artist Carol Moran capture the abstract, supernatural nature of the story.
Etsy.com/shop/TheCharmedBookshop
Visit TheCharmedBookshop.com for more first edition children's books.
Condition*: Very Good/Very Good. Dust jacket: Slight ruffling on the top edge; minor shelfwear. There's a bookplate with a child's name on the front endpaper, and the remnant of a droplet of something at the bottom of the copyright page and the page facing it.
* Based on guidelines of the Independent Online Booksellers' Association.
Shipping from United States
Processing time
1-3 business days
Estimated shipping times
- Australia : 1 - 3 business days
- United States : 1 - 3 business days
- North America : 1 - 3 business days
- Europe : 1 - 3 business days
- Australia, New Zealand and Oceania : 1 - 3 business days
- Asia Pacific : 1 - 3 business days
- Latin America and the Caribbean : 1 - 3 business days
- North Africa and the Middle East : 1 - 3 business days
- Sub-Saharan Africa : 1 - 3 business days
I'll do my best to meet these shipping estimates, but can't guarantee them. Actual delivery time will depend on the shipping method you choose.
Customs and import taxes
Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.
Payment Options
Returns & Exchanges
I gladly accept returns, exchanges, and cancellations
Just contact me within: 7 days of delivery
Ship items back to me within: 14 days of delivery
Privacy policy
* I will not share your personal information with third parties.
* I will contact you only through Etsy or an email address you provide to convey information about your order and news exclusive to The Charmed Bookshop.
* In placing your order, please provide Etsy with an active email address to ensure that I can get in touch with you about your order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gift wrapping and packaging
I wrap every book with care and ship it in a padded mailing envelope or sturdy box. If you're purchasing a gift, please advise when ordering and include a gift message.
Care instructions
1. I lightly clean books, as needed, but I don't attempt repairs or restoration. If you'd like a book restored, you'll find trustworthy, qualified experts in your area through libraries or museums.
I also recommend the following care instructions.
American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works -
https://goo.gl/6CZ9zA
2. Photos are cropped and resized to Etsy guidelines but are otherwise unedited. Please contact me if you'd like additional photos of book details.
3. Descriptions of condition are based on guidelines from the Independent Online Booksellers' Association.
Order processing time
I'll process and ship your purchase in 1 - 3 business days, and I'll ship anywhere in the world via any mail or delivery service that Etsy offers. (Please refer to the Shipping section for average shipping turn-around times by region.) If I encounter any delays in processing your order, I will advise you in advance.