{"title":"Pre-1900 Literature","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTravel back in time with our selection of pre-1900 rare books. Experience the literary masterpieces of the past and add a piece of history to your collection. Shop now.\u003c\/span\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"almanack-etrennes-saisons-marie-antoinette-76483","title":"Etrennes des saisons,","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003eAn attractive 18th century French almanack. The gilt device to the covers incorporates cartographic \u0026amp; astronomic elements, presumably emblematic of the publisher Desnos, who was also a celebrated mapmaker. Along with numerous excerpts from poems relating to the four seasons, this lovely work contains a dedication to Marie-Antoinette, Dauphine of France at the time, and an engraved plate with her portrait.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e12mo., engraved portrait frontispiece, engraved title, 2 plates, xylographic decorations, contemporary geometrically-patterned endpapers, contemporary red morocco, gilt, lacking pin to be inserted into fore-edge but flap present, sympathetically repaired in matching leather at spine-head and one corner.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGrand-Carteret 446. Cohen-Ricci 48","brand":"[ALMANACK]. NOUGARET [Pierre Jean Baptiste, editor].","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45546868638001,"sku":"76483","price":400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/76483.jpg?v=1790184056"},{"product_id":"etienne-senancour-obermann-fine-binding-1840-86141","title":"Obermann.","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003eFine copy of new edition, revised and corrected, with a foreword by George Sand. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEchoing much of the sentiment of Rousseau's \u003cem\u003eReveries of a Solitary Walker\u003c\/em\u003e, Senancour's themes of disillusionment and hopelessness in the face of modern, changing Europe and increasing industrialisation were not initially appreciated, but went on to find considerable success in the 1830s once championed by the Romantic authors of that period. George Sand was a key supporter of the work, identifying in it the essential evolution of the romantic hero in fiction, and the work was compared favourably to Chateaubriand's \u003cem\u003eRené\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e12mo. Half-title with advertisements on verso. Contemporary green sheep by Khi of Moscow 1843 (signed \u0026amp; dated in gilt to binding margin), elaborate gilt ornaments to boards and spine, moire endpapers, green silk bookmark, gilt edges. \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVicaire VII, 473.","brand":"SENANCOUR, Etienne Pivert de.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45546937876785,"sku":"86141","price":1250.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/86141_8a7ead54-d80c-4cc6-9ee7-b1d592b9bf68.jpg?v=1790187123"},{"product_id":"armenian-edition-virgil-aeneid-1845-90275","title":"Eneakan.","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003esuperbly bound example of the first Armenian edition of the Aeneid, with fine provenance\u003c\/h4\u003eVery rare. This translation of Virgil's immortal epic poem was completed by Etvart Hiwrmiwz (Edward Hurmuzian, 1799-1876). The copy bears the following manuscript birthday dedication on the flyleaf: 'From Percy Radcliffe to his father, June 5th 1848' (i.e., J. Percival Pickford Radcliffe, 1824-1908, later 3rd Baronet).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e8vo (23 x 15 cm), [2], engraved frontispiece and title, [20], 631pp., with three steel-engraved plates, very light spotting, contemporary red morocco, richly gilt, all edges gilt, slightly rubbed.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot in Nersessian.","brand":"VIRGIL.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547024974129,"sku":"90275","price":3750.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/90275.jpg?v=1790184267"},{"product_id":"adelphus-alfonsi-aragonum-proverbia-1509-93120","title":"Margarita Facetiarum.","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003eA collection of anecdotes, witticisms and\u003cem\u003e facetiae\u003c\/em\u003e of famous men, first published just a year before; it contains sayings, some serious and others amusing, attributed to respected recent figures, including Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor (r.1452-93), the popular preacher Johann Geiler von Kaisersberg (1445 – 1510), and the renaissance patron Alfonso, King of Naples (r. 1494-5).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis collection, gathered and introduced by the early XVI century doctor, translator, and chronicler Johannes Adelphus, is rare on the market: we could trace only two copies of this edition at auction in the last 35 years.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e18 x 13 cm. 100 leaves, slight soiling to title, a few instances of period ink in margins, upper margin tight and in some cases shaved into headlines, full 19th century calf with spine lettered in gilt, Stirling-Maxwell's copy with his devices to boards in blind, small scuffs to spine, edges rubbed, title laid down and with period ink and engraved bookplate laid on, upper cover detached, worn.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"ADELPHUS, Mülich Johann.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547065213233,"sku":"93120","price":1250.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/93120.jpg?v=1790183819"},{"product_id":"antonio-cornanzano-proverbs-1526-93126","title":"Proverbii de M. Antonio Cornazano in facetie …","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003e\"Petits contes un peu libres\" (Brunet)\u003c\/h4\u003eScarce early edition based on Cornazano's collection of tales. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAntonio Cornazano or Cornazzano (1429-84) was a celebrated and popular poet, teacher and Latin scholar. He lived in Siena, Milan, Ferrara and Venice and was the author of a famous early treatise on the art of dance. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThese tales were originally published under the title \u003cem\u003eDe Proverbi origin\u003c\/em\u003e - a collection of 16 stories, very funny and indecent, each one illustrating a common proverb. In this collection, five stories have been illustrated with attractive woodcuts. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDuplessis notes that all early editions of this work are very rare and describes it as mildly indecent. [See Duplessis, page 229.] The present edition appears to be identical to another edition published by Zoppino in Venice 1526. Both editions contain the same woodcut title, 40 leaves and 17 woodcuts. Some of the woodcuts also appear in the 1533 edition of Bocaccio. There were several later editions, including one in 1535 and one in 1558 by the same printer.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e8vo. (14.5 cm x 9 cm), ff. 40, including 17 pictorial woodcuts, title within architectural woodcut border and printed in red and black, title shaved at front margin, last three leaves with minor worm damage removing several letters, full 19th century calf, discreetly rebacked with labels laid on, marbled page ends, board ruled in gilt and blind and devices of William Stirling-Maxwell to boards in blind, some rubbing to ends and corners.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBrunet II, 277; Duplessis, p.229; Essling 2022; Sander 2184","brand":"Cornazano, Antonio.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547065377073,"sku":"93126","price":3850.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/93126_e3b3b653-8dfb-4cce-ab1d-20d609907247.jpg?v=1790184215"},{"product_id":"manuscript-french-maximes-and-proverbs-lecture-ordinaire-dun-pauvre-diable-que-sa-famille-a-ruine-93129","title":"Lecture ordinaire d'un pauvre Diable que sa famille a ruine.","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003eAn interesting manuscript collection of French proverbs and maxims written in a legible, neat hand.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e8vo. Over 220 leaves of manuscript.  Period sheep in French style with decoration in gilt to spine and marbled page ends. Remnant of old label to upper spine, some scuffing with loss and general wear, front hinge partially cracked, leaves quite bright though with some light soiling in places, one leaf with a closed cut to center. Very Good\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Manuscript, French [Maximes and Proverbs]","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547065442609,"sku":"93129","price":1250.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/93129_dabe2441-2db0-4d3a-b3dc-41ef1e506407.jpg?v=1790191431"},{"product_id":"robert-herrick-poetical-works-limited-edition-95697","title":"The Poetical Works.","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eLimited edition, number 228 of 750; 4 vols; 8vo; preface by Humbert Wolfe, coloured frontispieces by Albert Rutherston, publisher's gilt-lettered full vellum, top edges gilt, others untrimmed, a fine set.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"HERRICK, Robert.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547087069489,"sku":"95697","price":220.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/95697_398f1662-d904-4177-a2c9-09fc3e86ab11.jpg?v=1790193709"},{"product_id":"plays-of-willliam-shakespeare-extra-illustrated-96229","title":"The Plays of William Shakespeare.","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003eWhile still containing various Prefaces, Essays and Criticisms, in short all the requisite scholastic Gravitas that one would wish for in a serious edition, this one has the added interest and allure of the engraved plates and a 'Historical Account of the English Stage' that not only gives a history of its development but features some of the actors of the time such as Richard Burbage, described as; 'the most celebrated tragedian of our author's time...' There are also chapters on the learning of Shakespeare's writing, as well as commendatory verses or poems on Shakespeare by various poets.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAesthetically pleasing in every respect, in near-contemporary bindings. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShakespeare's works have also found themselves to be the subject of abridging, censoring and banning. the most famous example is the 'bowdlerisation' of the bards plays. Thomas Bowdler, an English physician created a 'family friendly' version of Shakespeare's works. 'Family Shakespeare' was published in 1818. Bowdler's editing had cut 90% out of the stories and made a mockery of some of the greatest prose in the English language. Also banned In 1966 under Mao Tse-Tung's 'Cultural Revolution'.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e15 volumes, 8vo., EXTRA-ILLUSTRATED with about 145 engraved plates by S. and E. Harding, Millton Park stamp to each volume, occasional browning and off-setting, mostly to margins and verso of plates, near-contemporary straight-grained light brown morocco, all edges gilt, a little rubbed and bumped at extremities, otherwise a very good and readable set.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"SHAKESPEARE, William.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547092574513,"sku":"96229","price":3500.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/96229_a940a4bf-6a3d-411b-8ac6-0a44666a1c4e.jpg?v=1790193192"},{"product_id":"writings-of-george-eliot-large-paper-edition-97104","title":"The Writings.","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003eGeorge Eliot (1819-1880) was the pen name of Mary Ann Evans, one of the leading English novelists of the 19th century. Her novels are celebrated for their realism and psychological insights. She used a male pseudonym to ensure her works were taken seriously in an era when female authors were usually associated with romantic novels.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVirginia Woolf called \u003cem\u003eMiddlemarch\u003c\/em\u003e 'one of the few English books written for grown-up people'. It is not a romantic novel, though it is a very passionate one. It is anti-romantic. It does not lead from frustrated love to fulfilled love to climactic marriage; it begins with the mistaken marriage choices of its \"heroine\" and \"hero\" and shows the inexorable workings of their coming to terms with their folly. Both are idealists. Both are very intelligent.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eLarge paper edition, limited to 570 sets; 8vo, 25 vols (complete, including 'The Life'); numerous photogravure plates, the frontispieces printed in coloured and uncoloured states, text age-toned, else fine, contemporary crushed brown half morocco gilt, top edge gilt, an extremely handsome set.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"ELIOT, George (pseud. EVANS, Marian).","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547102699825,"sku":"97104","price":4900.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/97104_4bb26973-c5e9-4112-8fed-c3e1c2c16ca7.jpg?v=1790195826"},{"product_id":"sir-thomas-browne-works-pickering-1836-97128","title":"Works","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003eIncludes: Biographical memoirs of Browne; Personal Correspondence; Religio Medici; Pseudodoxia Epidemica; Garden of Cyrus; Hydriotaphia; Brampton Urns; Repertorium; A Letter to a Friend; Christian Morals; Miscellany Tracts; unpublished papers. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt must also be mentioned that the Catholic Church placed Browne's works on their list of Banned Books, the Index Librorum Prohibitorum in 1645, where they remained up until the Index was abolished in 1966 by Pope Paul VI.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e4 volumes, 8vo., engraved frontispiece, 4 engraved plates (1 folding), fine polished calf, spines gilt in compartments with red and green labels to each, marbled edges and endpapers, a fine set.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"BROWNE, Sir Thomas.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547102830897,"sku":"97128","price":1250.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/97128.jpg?v=1790194529"},{"product_id":"alexander-pope-essay-on-man-first-edition-portuguese-97746","title":"[Essay on Man]. Ensaio sobre o homem...","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003eA beautiful presentation set in deluxe velvet binding with Portuguese royal coat-of-arms gilt-stamped to the covers.  This edition of Pope's famous poetic essay was translated by Francisco Bento Maria Targini, Viscount of Sao Lorenço, a poet in his own right and a keen student of philosophy.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e3 vols, large paper copy, 4to, printed in English \u0026amp; Portuguese, frontispieces and plates on mounted india paper, some browning to and offsetting from plates, silk endpapers, specially bound in full contemporary red velvet with gilt-stamped coat-of-arms of the Royal house of Portugal to covers and morocco lettering pieces on spines, cracking to one hinge but overall an impressive set. \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBrunet IV, 818","brand":"POPE, Alexander.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547112988977,"sku":"97746","price":6500.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/97746.jpg?v=1790183956"},{"product_id":"pierre-louys-manuscript-une-volupte-nouvelle-97829","title":"[Manuscript pour Une Volupté Nouvelle.]","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003eManuscript copy of Louÿs' work, first published in 1899. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePierre Louÿs (1870-1925) was born in Ghent in 1870 into a Champagne family, who had taken refuge in Belgium because of the German advance. He studied at the École Alsacienne where he was a classmate of André Gide. He was a close friend of Debussy and Oscar Wilde and he became a very well-known French poet and writer. He was made first a Chevalier and then an Officer of the Légion d'honneur for his contributions to French literature. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn this work the author playfully imagines the reawakening of an ancient nymph after hundreds of years to discover what new pleasures and vices are now no longer banned. A fine example of Louÿs' use of classical themes in his erotic works.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eSmall folio ( 29 x 26 cm), 39 pages of manuscript interleaved with blank pages, decorated endpapers, binders label, dated '1927' on endpapers; bound in later full red morocco gilt. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"LOUŸS, Pierre.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547115872561,"sku":"97829","price":5000.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/97829.jpg?v=1790193101"},{"product_id":"austin-dobson-ballad-beau-brocade-first-edition-98618","title":"The Ballad of Beau Brocade and other Poems of the XVIIIth Century.","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003eFirst edition, first issue, with 'The long day lengthens' in the dedicatory poem and with Beau appearing to be overweight in the illustration facing page 18. Extremely rare in the original dust-jacket, and especially in such good condition; the jacket has also preserved wonderfully the brightness of the original cloth and decorative gilt underneath.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eFirst edition, 8vo., [xvi], 89, [3] pp., with frontispiece and 25 plates, with headpieces and other illustrations by Thomson in text, partially unopened; publisher's maroon cloth gilt, bevelled edges, top edge gilt, printed dust-wrapper; slight rubbing at extremities, wrapper somewhat chipped, otherwise a very good copy.  \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"THOMSON, Hugh (illustrator); DOBSON, Austin.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547129045297,"sku":"98618","price":520.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/98618.jpg?v=1790184375"},{"product_id":"seamus-heaney-testament-cresseid-henryson-99349","title":"The Testament of Cresseid.","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003eA faithful rendering of a 15th century poem originally composed in the Scots language by Robert Henryson, here given fresh new life through the reworking into English by Irish poet Seamus Heaney and the colour illustrations by Hughie O'Donoghue. An attractive edition, further enhanced by the original etching in colours by O'Donoghue.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003enumber 56 of 75 deluxe copies signed by the author and artist and with an additional original signed etching by hughie o'donoghue, from an overall limitation of 450; 4to; tipped-in colour illustrations by Hughie O'Donoghue; publisher's green cloth with inset colour illustration, uncut, original colour etching numbered and signed in pencil, loose as issued in original card folder, together in cloth slip-case.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"HEANEY, Seamus; O'DONOGHUE, Hughie (artist); CARTER, Sebastian (designer).","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547134648625,"sku":"99349","price":2250.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/99349_6fe84973-29f7-47f9-982e-44466a901baa.jpg?v=1790194307"},{"product_id":"henry-james-passionate-pilgrim-first-edition-first-book-99391","title":"A Passionate Pilgrim","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003eA very good first edition example of the first book by Henry James. One of approximately 1500 copies with the correct imprint 'J.R.Osgood \u0026amp; Co' on spine. There was no separate English edition.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eFirst edition, first printing, first state binding (the gilt stamp to the foot of the spine bearing publisher's name 'J.R.Osgood \u0026amp; Co' without a full stop); 8vo; some marginal toning, contents separating a little; publisher's terracotta cloth, spine darkened, rubbed at corners and along joints, a few marks and scuffs, a little frayed and nicked at spine ends; [2 (blank), 7], 496 pp.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEdel \u0026amp; Laurence A1; BAL 10529","brand":"JAMES, Henry.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547136778545,"sku":"99391","price":950.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/99391_a2344c7a-3fe1-4fa2-a72e-7c000bc3369c.jpg?v=1790188263"},{"product_id":"letters-from-aubrey-beardsley-to-leonard-smithers-first-edition-1937-99643","title":"Letters from Aubrey Beardsley to Leonard Smithers.","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003eThis comprises 188 letters written by the artist to his publisher.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eFirst edition; 4to; 'printed at the Chiswick Press...in Monotrype Bodoni on Arnold \u0026amp; Foster's Indian Toned Laid Hand Made Paper', the title-page decorated with a hitherto unpublished illustration by Beardsley, three ink corrections to p.viii of Preface, a few instances of interesting marginalia (one shown), otherwise internally very clean and bright, publisher's gilt plaid black cloth, edges untrimmed, as published, corners and spine ends bumped, otherwise very good indeed.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"BEARDSLEY, Aubrey.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547138318641,"sku":"99643","price":150.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/99643_bb66a3c2-9ff0-489e-9ec5-6c9371d29c0d.jpg?v=1790190979"},{"product_id":"whitechurch-thrilling-stories-of-the-railway-first-edition-100556","title":"Thrilling Stories of the Railway.","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003ethe first railway detective stories\u003c\/h4\u003eAn extremely rare early detective fiction title, with only one previous auction record we could find, describing a copy rebound in custom boards. No records in the original wrappers. Ellery Queen gives it the Queen's Quorum top rank, 'HQR' ('Historical Significance', 'Quality' \u0026amp; 'Rare'). The first of the 'railway' subgenre, Whitechurch's collected stories introduce his detective Thorpe Hazell, a railway expert. They were subsequently adapted for BBC Radio, read by Benedict Cumberbatch, no less.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eFirst edition; 8vo; advertisements, in-text plans, typical toning; publisher's pictorial wrappers, several soft creases to wrappers, light edge wear with some paper loss at corners and spine ends, some repair work to backstrip, general mild rubbing with very little colour loss, two short tears to rear wrapper; housed in custom book-backed slip-case, one-quarter reddish-brown leather over brown cloth, brown leather spine label stamped in gilt.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eQueen's Quorum 51","brand":"WHITECHURCH, Victor L.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547155980593,"sku":"100556","price":8500.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/100556_01_7da6506c-1b9f-4338-8798-0632561f61cb.jpg?v=1790195550"},{"product_id":"grant-allen-african-millionaire-1897-100557","title":"An African Millionaire.","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003eThe most sought-after of the various novels by prolific writer Grant Allen: 'More successful were the detective stories, written later in his life, many of which appeared in the Strand Magazine, and volumes of detective fiction, of which the most notable is \"An African Millionaire: Episodes in the Life of the Illustrious Colonel Clay\" (1897)'. (ODNB)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eFirst edition; 8vo; illustrations, 2pp. advertisements, minor staining to top-edge of text-block, occasional foxing and marginal thumb-marking; publisher's green cloth blocked in gilt with device stamped in blind to lower cover, top edge gilt, some minor bumping and edge-wear, overall very good.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"ALLEN, Grant.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547156013361,"sku":"100557","price":650.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/100557.jpg?v=1790187959"},{"product_id":"grant-allen-first-edition-hilda-wade-100559","title":"Hilda Wade.","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003eAfter working on the \u003cem\u003eGazetteer of India\u003c\/em\u003e in the early 1880s, Grant Allen turned his attention to fiction, publishing more than thirty books between 1884 and 1899. In 1895, his scandalous work \u003cem\u003eThe Woman Who Did\u003c\/em\u003e and it sometimes startling views on marriage became a bestseller, but for many he is best remembered for his forays into detective and crime fiction, and particular for his creation of two early female detectives, Hilda Wade and Miss Cayley. He also wrote two novels under female pseudonyms, including the short novel \u003cem\u003eThe Type-writer Girl\u003c\/em\u003e, as Olive Pratt Rayner.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eFirst edition; 8vo; frontispiece and vignette illustrations by Gordon Browne, stain to p.81, some splitting at gatherings, but overall internally very good; publisher's dark blue cloth, spine lettered in gilt, front decoratively stamped in gilt, top edge gilt, some minor rolling and rubbing to spine, light rubbing, overall very good.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"ALLEN, Grant.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547156046129,"sku":"100559","price":320.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/100559.jpg?v=1790187960"},{"product_id":"grant-allen-miss-cayleys-adventures-first-edition-100560","title":"Miss Cayley's Adventures.","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003eThe first US edition of these thrilling mini adventures starring one of the first female detectives. After working on the \u003cem\u003eGazetteer of India\u003c\/em\u003e in the early 1880s, Grant Allen turned his attention to fiction, publishing more than thirty books between 1884 and 1899. In 1895, his scandalous work \u003cem\u003eThe Woman Who Did\u003c\/em\u003e and it sometimes startling views on marriage became a bestseller, but for many he is best remembered for his forays into detective and crime fiction, and particular for his creation of two early female detectives, Hilda Wade and Miss Cayley. He also wrote two novels under female pseudonyms, including the short novel \u003cem\u003eThe Type-writer Girl\u003c\/em\u003e, as Olive Pratt Rayner.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eFirst edition; 8vo; frontispiece and illustrations by Gordon Browne, minor spotting to endpapers; publisher's pictorial cloth, a very good copy.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"ALLEN, Grant.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547156078897,"sku":"100560","price":175.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/100560.jpg?v=1790187960"},{"product_id":"fergus-w-hume-first-edition-man-with-a-secret-100565","title":"The Man with a Secret.","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003eAn uncommon first edition three-decker mystery novel by Hume, author of \u003cem\u003eThe Mystery of a Hansom Cab\u003c\/em\u003e (1886), in very good condition.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eFirst edition; 3 vols; 8vo; 16pp. advertisements, some foxing to extremities and margins, some pulling and splitting; publisher's dark blue cloth blocked in red \u0026amp; blind, spines lettered in gilt, spines slightly rolled, slight edge wear, some marking and bumping\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"HUME, Fergus W.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547156111665,"sku":"100565","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/100565_01.jpg?v=1790187301"},{"product_id":"hume-fergus-w-two-copies-of-the-piccadilly-puzzle-100567","title":"The Piccadilly Puzzle.","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003eInscribed from the author \"To Miss C Crommelin with the kindest regards of The Author Fergus Hume 28. 6. 89.\" Miss C. Crommelin is presumably one of the sisters of the novelist and travel writer May Crommelin, who was it would seem a correspondent with Fergus Hume; both authors had works published by John Long.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eFirst edition, signed presentation copy from the author, inscribed at the head of the first page of text; 8vo; advertisements at beginning and end, patterned endpapers, stitching pulled in places with some mild springing to gatherings; publisher's decorative cloth, marked and slightly bubbled; \u003cstrong\u003ewith another, near fine copy of the same.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"HUME, Fergus W.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547156144433,"sku":"100567","price":550.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/100567.jpg?v=1790189004"},{"product_id":"fergus-hume-the-mystery-of-a-hansom-cab-early-issue-100648","title":"The Mystery of a Hansom Cab.","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003ewith autograph letter\u003c\/h4\u003eAn attractive early issue of this classic of Victorian detective fiction, further enhanced by a letter from the author to a Mr O'Donnell, writing to him from a hotel in St Ives, thanking him for an invitation and hoping to take him up on an offer to meet the editor of \u003cem\u003eThe Cornishman\u003c\/em\u003e in the future. It seems highly plausible that Mr O'Donnell is the ghost hunter and prolific writer on the paranormal, Elliott O'Donnell, who lived in St Ives at that time, and would certainly not have been shy of contacting a celebrated author such as Hume if he were in the area. Hume features in an article in \u003cem\u003eThe Cornishman \u003c\/em\u003eon 21st December 1905.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eEarly issue, 'two hundred and twenty-fifth thousand'; advertisements at front and end, one advertisment leaf loose, some browning\/foxing to leaves at front and end; publisher's pictorial wrappers worn and soiled, some repair work to around spine but original printed backstrip present; together with a loose typed letter signed from Hume to a Mr O'Donnell dated 10th November 1905, both housed in a modern slip-case, reproducing the top and rear boards of the book.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"HUME, Fergus W.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547156701489,"sku":"100648","price":850.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/100648_51753bd7-35ce-4532-b468-d25c5fead76d.jpg?v=1790187296"},{"product_id":"sabine-baring-gould-margery-of-quether-first-edition-100676","title":"Margery of Quether and Other Stories.","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003ea rare example of an early vampire story\u003c\/h4\u003eThe eponymous \u003cem\u003eMargery of Quether\u003c\/em\u003e is discovered by a bell-ringer, George Rosedhu on Christmas Eve. She explains she was once a living woman, now a dried up old crone who cannot die. George is so moved by her story that he takes her in his arms and carries her home. She drives her one remaining tooth into his flesh and clasps him so tightly with her claws that he is unable to remove her until she lets go of her own accord...\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould was an English hagiographer, antiquarian, novelist and eclectic scholar. He is remembered particularly as a writer of hymns, the best-known being\u003cem\u003e Onward, Christian Soldiers\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eNow the Day is Over\u003c\/em\u003e. He also translated the carol \u003cem\u003eGabriel's Message\u003c\/em\u003e from Basque to English. He often wrote standing up and his first book of songs, \u003cem\u003eSongs and Ballads of the West (1889-91)\u003c\/em\u003e, was the first collection published for the mass market. He wrote many novels including \u003cem\u003eA Book of Ghosts\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe Lives of the Saints\u003c\/em\u003e. His folkloric studies resulted in \u003cem\u003eThe Book of Were-Wolves\u003c\/em\u003e (1865), one of the most frequently cited studies of lycanthropy. Reputedly, this last title and Margery of Quether, gave Bram Stoker his inspiration for\u003cem\u003e Dracula\u003c\/em\u003e, published six years later.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eFirst edition in book form; 8vo; one spot to first three leaves, else fine; publisher's maroon cloth gilt, spine faded and ends bumped, corners rubbed, offsetting to both free endpapers and near contemporary ink ownership to front free one, otherwise very good. \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"BARING-GOULD, Sabine.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547157356849,"sku":"100676","price":875.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/100676_ffbc68d8-107d-46c7-93d1-92f3b28f6444.jpg?v=1790194021"},{"product_id":"g-webb-appleton-frozen-hearts-first-edition-100728","title":"Frozen Hearts.","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003erare three-decker\u003c\/h4\u003eA very good three-decker first edition of this Hubin-listed Victorian novel. This work would probably be best classified as a mystery novel, with its fair share of crime detection courtesy of the story's primary protagonist, the Vicomte d'Harmontal. Exceptionally rare in such condition.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eFirst edition, first impression; 3 vols, 8vo; a few leaves in vols I \u0026amp; III with some marginal tears and chips from careless opening, vol.III title browned but overall internally very good; publisher's blind-tooled brown cloth, lettered in gilt to spines, a little minor rubbing to extremities but overall a very good, sharp set.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot in Sadleir; Hubin, p.11, listed as of undetermined status","brand":"APPLETON, G[eorge] Webb.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547157881137,"sku":"100728","price":1350.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/100728_7d66e796-b9de-46e9-a96f-bf06aeaf0853.jpg?v=1790187581"},{"product_id":"anna-katharine-green-first-edition-circular-study-101139","title":"The Circular Study.","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003ethe mother of the detective story\u003c\/h4\u003eA 'bibliomystery' by one of the first American detective fiction authors, Anna Katharine Green, who garnered acclaim \u0026amp; respect for her well considered and legally accurate stories, earning her the title 'the Mother of the Detective Story' by bibliographer \u0026amp; collector Eric Quayle. This is the ninth title to feature her detective Ebenezer Gryce, in this case investigating the murder of a wealthy bibliophile found dead in the circular study which lends itself to the title.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eFirst edition, first printing; 8vo; 7pp. advertisements; publisher's green cloth with swirling pattern containing a key blocked in black and gilt lettering, minor rubbing and bumping to corners but overall very good.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGlover \u0026amp; Greene 208.","brand":"GREEN, Anna Katharine.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547168596273,"sku":"101139","price":195.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/101139_ce999397-55c4-4ab5-aeb0-6fc009034fb2.jpg?v=1790184142"},{"product_id":"thiel-mysteries-of-berlin-detective-fiction-first-edition-102198","title":"The Mysteries of Berlin, from the Papers of a Berlin Criminal Officer.","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003eOne of the more significant early detective fiction titles, published in Germany the year before, with this the first edition in English published the same year as Edgar Allan Poe's \u003cem\u003eTales\u003c\/em\u003e, considered by most collectors as the first great work of detective fiction.  Thiel's novel is a key work in the 'Mysteries of [put your city name here]' trend of the time, and accounted as one of the better titles in this sub-sub-genre:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'The German language responded more vigorously to the new genre: Paul Thiel's \u003cem\u003eDie Geheimnisse von Berlin\u003c\/em\u003e (\"The Secrets of Berlin,\" 1844) was immediately translated in New York as \u003cem\u003eThe Mysteries of Berlin\u003c\/em\u003e (1845) with the business like subtitle \u003cem\u003eFrom the Papers of a Berlin Criminal Officer\u003c\/em\u003e. This was issued in ten parts at twelve and a half cents, and at a full 300,000 words was better value than Judson—it is also a strongly developed multi-stranded story with its own confidence. Several survivors head off to New York at the end and the cover blurb asserts the book has been \"universally pronounced far superior to M. Sue's \u003cem\u003eMysteries of Paris\u003c\/em\u003e.\"' Stephen Knight, \u003cem\u003eThe Mysteries of the Cities: Urban Crime Fiction in the Nineteenth Century\u003c\/em\u003e, 2012.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eFirst edition in English; 8vo; 10 engraved plates by P.Habelmann, some minor offsetting and very occasional spotting, but overall internally very good; contemporary half sheep, rebacked with later cloth, edge wear; 291pp.; 10 plates.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHubin IV, Addenda; not in Queen's Quorum.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"[THIEL, Paul].","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547186290993,"sku":"102198","price":480.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/102198.jpg?v=1790194924"},{"product_id":"peard-jillard-fearful-adversary-first-edition-102393","title":"A Fearful Adversary.","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003eA very good first edition set of this scarce Victorian three-decker, in the original publisher's binding. The work seems to defy easy categorisation, but is certainly uncommon, we could only locate four copies listed on Copac.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e3 vols, first edition; 8vo; splitting to a few endpapers, each front free endpaper with contemporary ownership inscription; publisher's green cloth blocked in black wit gilt letting to spines, some minor bumping, a few minor marks upper cover of vol.II, overall very good.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"JILLARD, Peard.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547192582449,"sku":"102393","price":750.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/102393_1.jpg?v=1790192441"},{"product_id":"strawberry-hill-press-thomas-gray-odes-pirate-issue-102427","title":"Odes by Mr. Gray.","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003eStrawberry Hill Press\u003c\/h4\u003eA famous [re]issue of the first work ever printed by the Strawberry Hill press, which has been the source of considerable bibliographical bafflement and bemusement over the years. This issue was for many years believed to be the first produced by Walpole due to the superior quality of the paper, the misspelling 'Illissus' (p.8, Ode II, 3, line 3), and the missing comma after 'Swarm' (Ode II, 2, line 7). However, the bibliographer Hazen has, it is now fairly widely recognised, established through extensive research that this edition is in fact an unauthorised printing undertaken by Kirgate forty years later. One of the other aspects that had many believing this was the true first issue is the fact that it is actually scarcer than the first, currently believed to be one of only circa 1,000 copies, whereas the 1757 issue was more likely produced in a run of about 2,000. ESTC records just 4 copies of pirated issue in institutional collections.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith provenance for Arthur Kay (1861-1939). Famed as an art collector, Kay's notes and clipped catalogue entries here suggests he was also a serious book collector. The etched bookplate was created by his wife Katharine Kay née Cameron, a watercolourist \u0026amp; etcher from the Glasgow School of Art, where she had been one of the self-styled 'Immortals', a group that included the sisters Margaret and Frances Macdonald, the former marrying the architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh, a fellow student of Cameron in the early 1890s. The binding by the Maclehose of Glasgow was presumably commissioned by Kay.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eFirst edition, pirated issue, 4to (26 x 20 cm); half-title, engraved vignette view of Strawberry Hill House to title-page, some light spotting, bookplates to front pastedown and verso of front free endpaper, clipped catalogue descriptions and previous owner's note tipped in to recto of front free endpaper; 19th century calf with simple gilt rule borders to covers, contrasting red morocco title-piece to spine, by Maclehose of Glasgow; 21, [1]pp.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eESTC N61348; Hazen 1; cf. Rothschild 1067.","brand":"GRAY, Thomas.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547193368881,"sku":"102427","price":1850.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/102427_ad3d6aab-0c28-4cfe-b04e-384f10ce2498.jpg?v=1790194743"},{"product_id":"102554","title":"Curiosities of Detection;","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003eA solid copy of a rare and early detective fiction novel, the second volume of what the author referred to as his 'Constabulary Tales'. Listed in Hubin.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eFirst edition; small 8vo; some minor toning and thumb-marking, text-block trimmed; rebound in later red morocco-backed cloth.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"CURTIS, Robert.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547196743985,"sku":"102554","price":950.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/102554.jpg?v=1790182351"},{"product_id":"keedy-kingston-great-pimlico-mystery-first-edition-102555","title":"The Great Pimlico Mystery.","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003eA remarkably scarce example of eighteen-nineties detective fiction, not in the British Library, and with only one copy we could trace in other institutional holdings at Monash University in Australia.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe collation corresponds with that recorded in Dorothy Glover \u0026amp; Graham Greene's \u003cem\u003eVictorian Detective Fiction\u003c\/em\u003e, but it is unclear whether there was a matching blue paper lower wrapper.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eFirst edition; 8vo; xylographic device, initials, head- \u0026amp; tail-pieces, 2pp. advertisements, small later ownership label to verso of title, some foxing to early pages and occasionally elsewhere; publisher's pale blue upper wrapper, lacking spine (replaced in plain paper) [?]and lower wrapper; housed in later card chemise and cloth slip-case.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGlover \u0026amp; Greene 294; not in Ellery Queen.","brand":"KINGSTON, Keedy.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547196776753,"sku":"102555","price":950.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/102555.jpg?v=1790190602"},{"product_id":"betjeman-krishnamurti-eighteen-nineties-1974-signed-102844","title":"The Eighteen Nineties: A Literary Exhibition, Supplement to the Catalogue.","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003einscribed by Betjeman to Mary Wilson\u003c\/h4\u003eBetjeman loaned several items to this exhibition and provided an introduction to this catalogue. Inscribed by Betjeman to the poet Mary Wilson, wife of the Prime Minister Harold Wilson, later Lord Wilson of Rievaulx:  'Mary with love from John B 1975'. He had been appointed Poet Laureate during Harold Wilson's premiership.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eFirst edition, first impression, inscribed by Betjeman to Mary Wilson; 8vo; illustrated; publisher's cream wrappers printed in blue, lower wrapper a little marked but a near-fine copy.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"BETJEMAN, John (foreword); KRISHNAMURTI, Dr. G. (compiler).","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547201790257,"sku":"102844","price":325.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/102844.jpg?v=1790184913"},{"product_id":"hg-wells-select-conversations-signed-first-edition-103457","title":"Select Conversations With An Uncle.","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003einscribed presentation copy\u003c\/h4\u003eA major literary presentation copy of the author's first literary publication. Inscribed by Wells on the half title page, 'Grant Allen With the author's kindest regards'. Tipped in at the front of the book is a 3pp autograph letter signed by Wells, written to Allen and presenting 'the little book I have done. It's just fooling about with a piece of paper \u0026amp; a pen'. He then asks if Allen is fond of canals, remarking that there is good one in Woking which he would like to show him were he to visit. Allen was originally from Canada, he moved to the UK in the 1880s and lived not far from Wells in Surrey. A controversialist in his views on sexual politics and the 'new women' he shared many of Wells obsessions. Perhaps more importantly he had begun in the early 1890s to write speculative fiction. His subjects included time travel and the probable influence on the Time Machine of his story \u003cem\u003eThe Pallinghurst Barrow\u003c\/em\u003e is notable.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eFirst edition, first impression, inscribed presentation copy; 8vo; illustrated title page, pages browned as usual, some marks and spots throughout, 3pp ALS from the author tipped in; publisher's grey, watered silk, titles to spine gilt, top edge gilt, edges a little rubbed; 16 pp ads at end. Very good indeed.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"WELLS, H.G.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45547210899761,"sku":"103457","price":6500.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/4694\/1233\/files\/103457_dae21d93-211f-4b1e-8038-c7f7d4076d8b.jpg?v=1790188375"},{"product_id":"life-letters-and-poems-of-william-cowper-1865-103861","title":"The Works of...: His Life, Letters and Poems.","description":"\u003ch4 class=\"srb-faux-head\"\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThick 4to (245 x 165); portrait frontispiece of the poet after Romney, additional pictorial title and 4 further plates after J. 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