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c. 1888: The Black Arrow, A Tale of Two Roses, by Robert Luis Stevenson
The Black Arrow is a historical fiction novel written by Robert Louis Stevenson and published in 1888. The story is set in the late 15th century during the Wars of the Roses, a period of political turmoil in England. The novel follows the adventures of a young man named Richard Shelton, who becomes embroiled in a conspiracy to overthrow the current ruler, King Edward IV. Along the way, he falls in love with a woman named Joanna Sedley and must navigate the treacherous political landscape to protect himself and his loved ones. The book is illustrated by J.K. Maxton and is considered a collectible antique due to its soft cover burgundy leather binding with gilt lettering and ornamentation on the spine, as well as its almost pristine condition.
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1930: The Dream, by H.G. Wells, the Novel Library Series
The Dream is a novel by H.G. Wells that was published in the Novel Library series in 1930. The story follows a man named William Leadford who falls asleep in 1906 and wakes up in the year 1930. He discovers that the world has undergone significant changes, including the emergence of a world government and the abolition of war. However, he also realizes that society has become more regimented and controlled, and he struggles to adjust to the new way of life.
The Vintage Edition of The Dream is a compact blue hardcover volume with gilt ornamentation and lettering on the cover and spine. Despite some wear on the cover and spine, the book is in good condition with no writing or markings. However, there is some yellowing and foxing to the pages due to age.
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1913: Tales of Hoffman Retold From Offenbach’s Opera by Cyril Falls & Illustrated by A. Brantingham Simpson
Tales of Hoffman Retold From Offenbach’s Opera is a classic book that retells the famous opera by Jacques Offenbach. Written by Cyril Falls and illustrated by A. Brantingham Simpson, R.O.I, the book was published by Chatto & Windus in London in 1913. The book is a hardcover cloth volume with ornamentation and gilt lettering on the cover and spine. It has 164 pages with deckled fore-edges and top edges gilt.
Although the book has some minor wear and fading to the spine, it is a high-quality publication with thick paper and excellent print. The volume is tightly bound and very clear, with no writing anywhere in the book.
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1950: The Adventures of Don Quixote, by Miguel de Servantes Saavedra – Rare Penguin Paperback
The Adventures of Don Quixote is a classic novel by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra that follows the journey of an aging gentleman, Alonso Quixano, who becomes so enamored with tales of chivalry and adventure that he decides to become a knight himself. Donning a suit of armor and taking up a lance, he sets out on a quest to right wrongs and defend the honor of his lady love, Dulcinea. Along the way, he encounters a host of colorful characters and engages in a series of comical and often absurd adventures that test his courage, his wit, and his sanity. The novel is a timeless masterpiece of satire and social commentary, exploring themes of identity, reality, and the power of imagination.
This particular edition of The Adventures of Don Quixote is a rare, vintage paperback published by Penguin Books in 1950.
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1880s: The Complete Works of Henry Fielding, in 3 volumes, with Thomas Roscoe and George Cruikshank
This three-volume set of “The Complete Works of Henry Fielding” includes all of the author’s novels, plays, and miscellaneous writings, as well as a memoir of the author by Thomas Roscoe. The set is illustrated with twenty etchings of steel by George Cruikshank and was published by Bell and Daldy in London in the midto late 1800s. The volumes are bound in brown leather with five raised bands on the spine and gilt lettering on paper inserts (missing from volume III). The set is in very good condition, with marbled endpapers and some foxing on the endpapers. The edges are gilt on top, with deckles fore edges and untrimmed bottom edges. There is some rubbing and wear around the edges of the cover boards and spine folds, but no writing or other markings in the book.
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1933, H. G. Wells: World of William Glissold (2 volumes), Tono Bungay
The World of William Glissold and Tono Bungay are two books written by H.G. Wells and published in 1933. The World of William Glissold is a two-volume set, totaling 510 pages, while Tono Bungay is a standalone book with 254 pages. Both books are presented in red cloth hardcovers with gilt lettering on the spine and an impression of H.G. Wells’ signature on the front cover. The top edges are painted black, and while there is some foxing to the endpages and fore-edges, the volumes are clean and tightly bound with no markings.
The World of William Glissold follows the life of the titular character, a writer and philosopher, as he navigates the political and social landscape of the early 20th century. Tono Bungay, on the other hand, tells the story of a young man who invents a miracle cure-all and rises to fame and fortune, only to have his success unravel due to his own greed and deceit. These books are a must-read for any fan of H.G. Wells’ work and are in excellent condition, making them a great addition to any library.
$140.00 -
1824: De La Philosophie Morale, ou Des Differens Systemes sur la Science de la Vie, par Joseph Droz, seconde edition
De La Philosophie Morale, ou Des Differens Systemes sur la Science de la Vie is an iconic work by Joseph Droz, a French philosopher who lived during the French Revolution. The book argues that society can only be in a proper state if individuals are educated to prioritize their duties over their rights. This doctrine earned Droz the Montyon Prize in 1823 and admission to the Académie française. The second edition of the book, published in 1924, is a hardcover volume with marbled boards and brown leather spine and edges. Despite some rubbing and wear to the corners, the book is in very good condition for its age, with little overall fading or yellowing to the pages.
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1899: A Child’s Garden of Verses, by R. L. Stevenson
A Child’s Garden of Verses by R.L. Stevenson is a classic children’s book that has been enjoyed by generations of young readers. This early rare edition, stated as the fifth, is beautifully illustrated by Charles Robinson and published by John Lane in London. The green cloth hardcover volume features gilt stamped ornamentation and lettering on the cover and spine, with some wear and rubbing around the edges and corners. The gilt is partially rubbed off on the spine, and there is wear on the back cover, especially around the bottom. The end papers show foxing and a thin tear where the front and back end papers attach to the spine. The top, bottom, and fore edges are gilt, and there are no writing or similar markings anywhere in the book. However, there are several instances of age and “finger print” type stains, mostly in the margins, and several pages are separating from the spine. Despite these minor flaws, the overall condition of the book is good.
$500.00 -
1883: The Virginians, by William Makepeace Thackeray, volume V of 12 volumes of The Works
The Virginians is a classic work of literature by William Makepeace Thackeray, published as the fifth volume in a collection of 12 volumes known as The Works. The novel follows the lives of two brothers, George and Henry Warrington, who are born and raised in Virginia during the 18th century. The story explores their experiences during the American Revolution, as well as their relationships with family members, friends, and romantic interests. Thackeray’s writing style is characterized by his use of satire and wit, as well as his commentary on social class and morality.
$135.00 -
RARE, 1948: Footlose in the Congo, by Roger Courtney
Footloose in the Congo is a rare first edition book written by Roger Courtney and published by Herbert Jenkins Limited in London in 1948. The book is a scarce account of the author’s life during a locust campaign as Chief Field Officer for an area in East Africa. The volume is not dated but has an inscription on the blank title page that reads “To Leslie, 1953.” The book is a blue cloth hardcover with impressed lettering on the spine and has moderate signs of fading and wear. There are minor signs of yellowing and aging on the pages, and there is a faded stamp on the inside of the back cover that reads “25 April 1953.” The book is in very good condition, aside from the faded cover, and might benefit from being rebound.
This book is a non-fiction account of the author’s experiences in East Africa during a locust campaign. It provides a rare glimpse into the life of a Chief Field Officer during this time period. The book is a first edition and is considered a valuable collector’s item. The author’s signature and an inscription on the blank title page add to the book’s value and historical significance. The book is in good condition, with only minor signs of wear and aging, and would make an excellent addition to any collection of books about Africa or non-fiction works about life in the mid-twentieth century.
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RARE 1899: The King’s Mirror, by Anthony Hope
The King’s Mirror is a rare first edition novel written by Anthony Hope and published in 1899. The book is a dark green hardcover volume with gilt lettering on the cover and spine, and deckled bottom edges. It has a pencil owner signature on the front end-page, but no other writing or markings in the book. Despite some minor foxing on the fore-edges, the book is in fine condition.
The novel follows the story of a young man named Rupert of Hentzau, who becomes involved in a plot to overthrow the king of Ruritania. The book is a sequel to Hope’s earlier novel, The Prisoner of Zenda, and features many of the same characters. The King’s Mirror is a thrilling adventure story filled with political intrigue, romance, and betrayal.
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1834 Parecbolae sive excerpta e corpore statutorum Universitatis Oxoniensis
The 1834 Parecbolae sive excerpta e corpore statutorum Universitatis Oxoniensis is a book that contains a collection of statutes and articles of religion from the University of Oxford. The book is intended for academic youth and was published in 1834. It includes the XXXIX articles of religion in the Anglican Church, as well as oaths of fidelity and supremacy. The book is bound in a light tanned leather hardcover with gilt ornamentation on the spine and cover. The inside cover and all edges are marbled. Although there is some expected rubbing and minor wear on the cover, there is no writing or markings in the book. There is some minor foxing on end pages, and occasional fading on pages throughout the book. Overall, the book is in very good condition, well-bound, clean, and ready for a new owner.