Fiction

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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Books and Persons – Being Comments on a Past Epoch 1908-1911 – Arnold Bennett. {Ernest H. Shackleton book label – warning see below]

A first edition published by Chatto & Windus in 1917. Octavo, 338 pages. Black cloth covered boards, paper title label [original spare label at rear for anyone that wants to refresh]. No dust jacket probably as issued.

An interesting book by the talented and highly productive wordsmith – Bennett. Dedicated to Hugh Walpole. Bennett had had a number of articles published in the “New Age’ under the nom de plume “Jacob Tonson”. About one third of those re-appear in this book … with some misprints corrected and various crudity softened.

Various subjects tackled with the usual wit and pointedness include … Ugliness of fiction; French Publishers; German Expansion [note 1908]; the Book-buyer; Joseph Conrad and the Athenaeum; Unclean books; the New Machiavelli; Anatole France etc etc

The mystery of the Ernest H Shackleton book label … many booksellers around the world have fallen into the mire in promoting such items as once owned by the distinguished Polar explorer … we think it’s either the “H” for Henry or the desire for profit that traps them – and their customers. Unfortunately, about the right time, a not so distinguished [no writs please] New York lawyer amassed quite a collection and affixed his unpretentious label to each. You have been warned – but may see an opportunity!

Arnold Bennett a keen observer who shared – if Polar add a nought!

$35.00

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She Shall Have Murder – Delano Ames – First US Edition 1949

Published by Rinehart, New York in 1949.

Octavo, 245 pages. The first book in a series of murder mysteries featuring Jane Hamish and Dagobert Brown. Super stuff a plot that would fit today’s take on the classic murder mystery.

Delano Ames and American, who moved to England and then Spain had huge success with this genre.

Made into a movie the following year.

A plot built on a fantasy of a plot.

$50.00

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The Deadly Dowager – Edwin Greenwood – First US Edition 1937

Published by Doubleday, New York in 1937, first US Edition.

Octavo, 307 pages, pretty good condition, striking period jacket.

Watch out for life insurance! As often behind the plot of the Deadly Dowager to restore the family fortunes by killing them off. Unusual murders.

Watch out for the wet sponge!

$50.00

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Gallows Orchard – Claire Spencer – First Edition 1930

First edition of Gallows Orchard – in or opinion – in the best dust jacket design we have ever seen.

Published by Jonathan Cape & Harrison Smith. Octavo, 285 pages, a little age, generally very good condition.

Lucy antagonises a small village in Scotland … she has numerous suitors but in the end the village folk have their way. Murder, marriage and death ….

This was Scottish born Clair Spencer’s first novel. By this time, she was in the US married to publisher Harrison Smith.

Approaching 100 years – First edition challenging story

$70.00

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Little Ragged Blossom and more about Snugglepot and Cuddlepie – May Gibbs – First Edition c 1920

Published Sydney: Angus Robertson no date but 1920 and a First Edition.

Quarto. Cloth backed pictorial boards with a colour vignette of Little Ragged Blossom pasted on with some wear. The odd mark – on the whole a very good copy.

The wonderful fantasy world of the gum-nut babies portrayed in glorious detail. Illustrated by Gibbs with two full colour plates and twenty wonderful sepia plates as well as pictorial end papers and many line illustrations in-text. Scarce in any condition. Reference the authority Muir 2752.

Little Ragged Blossom a May Gibbs Delight

$190.00

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

Books and Persons – Being Comments on a Past Epoch 1908-1911 – Arnold Bennett. {Ernest H. Shackleton book label – warning see below]

She Shall Have Murder – Delano Ames – First US Edition 1949

The Deadly Dowager – Edwin Greenwood – First US Edition 1937

Gallows Orchard – Claire Spencer – First Edition 1930

Little Ragged Blossom and more about Snugglepot and Cuddlepie – May Gibbs – First Edition c 1920

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