19th Century and Prior Classics

Original Regency Lady’s Commonplace Book [1822/23] featuring numerous poetic and artistic contributions.

A most unusual example and one that warrants further research … we are not entirely sure who the owner was – but she was posh – there are a few clues – and the contributors are also somewhat elusive – we have tracked down a couple of distinguished types.

Landscape format, approximately 70 or so leaves, marbled covered boards, leather bound as original, some pages loose but we have left it as original.

Commonplace books were, as the name goes, commonplace … they were kept as a repository of information of interest to the owner. What is much more unusual is that this one has been circulated among many contributors and must have taken a logistics exercise to keep it under control.

Overall, there are 12 artistic contributions including six watercolours. There are over 35 contributions of original poetry. Enough items are dated to give us our 1822/23 description.

Included, and now at the right page is a letter from Charles R Forrester apologising to “Honoured Madam” for “detaining your “Album” and to so little purpose as to have received a trifling addition as the lines which are offered for your approval- Their sole merit consists in their being Original and being written by “originals” and believe me Madam with the utmost respect” etc etc. the writer Charles Forester [1803-1850] was a well published poet and author – but just to make it hard often under a variety of pseudonyms. Likewise, his brother Alfred was a literary illustrator. Other poems include words from the Rev. John Marriot who was a chum of Sir Walter Scott – they used to discuss poetry together.

It’s a nice thing and a couple of the artistic contributions show some talent, standard of poetry likewise – the Zephyr and the Rose especially – and perfect handwriting even when dainty.

Please never submit this item to AI or SI for that matter.

Over 200 years old a veritable time-capsule awaiting further exploration and/or to be enjoyed.

$290.00

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Barchester Towers and The Warden – Anthony Trollope

A very good near fine Modern Library edition published circa 1950′s in a very good complete dust jacket.

Useful introduction by Harlan Hatcher then Professor of English at the Ohio State University.

Anthony Trollope wrote Barchester Towers in the 1850’s. He built a special transportable desk so he could write whilst on the train. His publishers thought it somewhat vulgar. The Guardian have it on their “must be read list”.

Trollope, the most realistic and entertaining of the 19th century greats.

Double dose of Trollope

$30.00

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Marius The Epicurean: His Sensations and Ideas – Walter Pater – Special Two Volume Limited Edition – Velum Backed, Batik Covered, Hand-Made Paper, Illustrated – One of 300 Published – 1929

Really striking books any description difficult to do them justice – would make a super gift for someone that deserves them! More images to come.

A fine and unusual presentation of this unique work by Walter Pater published by McMillan, London in 1929.

Two volumes, quarto, bound quarter vellum over batik papered boards. Gilt to spine and top edge. Sixteen dry-point full page illustrations by Thomas Mackenzie. Printed on hand made paper. Only 300 copies.

Volume I – 143 pages, Vol II 144-278 pages. Eight illustrations in each. Slight toning in ends otherwise fine.

Walter Pater’s philosophical novel of 1885 here with an introductory essay by J.C. Squire.

Set in the Rome of the Antonines [AD 161-177], the Golden Age of Rome. The work is an imaginary portrait of the intellectual development of our protagonist, Marius. It was well received on publication being Pater’s only ever full-length novel. Influenced on the likes of Oscar Wilde and his … Dorian Gray.

Pater was at the centre of the Oxford circle in his day – knew Rossetti tutored Manley Hopkins etc.

The introductory essayist of this edition Sir John Collings Squire was the editor of the distinguished literary magazine The London Mercury. Seemingly, he was a bit of a drunk, foul mouthed and not at all liked by the Bloomsbury mob.

The illustrator Thomas Mackenzie [1887-1944] similar in style to the likes of Aubrey Beardsley … his better known work may have been as illustrator to the popular version of Aladdin by Arthur Ransome.

A special work with an extra special presentation.

$290.00

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The Martian – George du Maurier – First edition 1898

First edition published by Harper & Brothers in 1898.

A substantial book, large squarish octavo, 471 pages, dark black end papers which show signs of paper label removal. Striking deep blue cloth covered boards with gilt titles, design, and faux signature to front, gilt title to spine, extraordinarily clean. Someone has assembled poetry to the early preliminaries, which we find quite charming.

Considered the be quasi autobiographical with a strange surreal Martian twist. The life of Barty Josselin as told by a friend Robert Maurice from early days at the Institution Brossard in Paris. Josselin a good looker and thoroughly talented and extrovert. Later back in England Barty has a spell in the army.

Later his eyesight starts to fail which makes him think of taking his own life. In a dream a spirit guardian in the form of Martia from Mars comes to him. From then Martia inspires him and provides advice which secures his career as an author. Martia has other influences and wishes him to marry Julia … and all gets a little complicated from there ..

George du Maurier Channelling a Martian Spirit Guide

$90.00

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The Faerie Queene – Edmund Spenser – Full Calf 1860′s Copy

Spenser’s Faerie Queene disposed in twelve bookes fashioning XII moral virtues to which is added his Epithalamion a new edition, with a glossary; illustrated by Edward Corbould.

Published by George Routledge & Sons, no date but 1860’s. Octavo, 820 pages.

A beautiful book bound in full polished rich green calf with six compartments to the spine with bright gilt devices and red leather title label lavish marbled endpaper continuing to page edges, gilt lines to boards … a few marks but still a superb copy.

Spenser one of the greatest English poets; and here his longest work originally written in 1590. Allegorical, with references to Queen Elizabeth I. the illustrator Edward Corbould (1815-1905) was active in the Victorian era.

Deliciously bound Faerie Queene

$140.00

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La Princesse de Cleves – Madame de la Fayette – With Aquarelle by Edith Follet – 1920′s

The original novel was published anonymously in 1678. This is the stunning 1920’s production by Nilsson, Paris and contains ten striking tipped in aquarelles (watercolours) as well as the beautiful front cover by Edith Follet.

In the French language, quarto soft covers, 186 pages in very good condition. All the aquarelle bright and clean.

La Princesse de Cleves is regarded by many as the first psychological novel and is now a classic. The story takes place between 1558 and 1559 at the Royal Court of Henry II of France. The novel reflects that era with precision. The characters mainly (apart from the heroine) represent real individual and the events that unfold are faithful to the historical record.

Striking beautiful illustrations by Follet – would make a beautiful gift ….

$120.00

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Original Regency Lady’s Commonplace Book [1822/23] featuring numerous poetic and artistic contributions.

Barchester Towers and The Warden – Anthony Trollope

Marius The Epicurean: His Sensations and Ideas – Walter Pater – Special Two Volume Limited Edition – Velum Backed, Batik Covered, Hand-Made Paper, Illustrated – One of 300 Published – 1929

The Martian – George du Maurier – First edition 1898

The Faerie Queene – Edmund Spenser – Full Calf 1860′s Copy

La Princesse de Cleves – Madame de la Fayette – With Aquarelle by Edith Follet – 1920′s

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