The Book of Ser Marco Polo (Yule's 1875 edition, title page)

What it is

This is the title page of The Book of Ser Marco Polo, the Venetian, concerning the kingdoms and marvels of the East, newly translated and edited with notes by H. Yule. The page has decorative red and black lettering, two coats of arms, and a circular engraving of travelers being denied entrance at a doorway. The imprint reads London: John Murray, 1874. The scan is from the British Library's copy, from the edition dated 1875 in the record.

Why it matters

The book's text is Polo's own account, but this is a later English edition made by an editor. Yule translated and annotated the text for English readers, so the title page shows how Polo's travels were packaged and presented in the 19th century. The image shows the book's presentation, not Polo himself, and no portrait of Polo appears here.

Look closer

• What do the coats of arms and the decorative lettering suggest about the audience this edition was aimed at?
• What does the engraving of travelers being denied entrance at a doorway suggest about the book's themes?
• How does this edition differ from Polo's own account, and what might the editor have added?