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

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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]

Short Description

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!

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