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1870s: Lord Lytton’s Works – 16 Volumes
$1,500.00Bulwer-Lytton’s works are characterized by their richly detailed narratives, exploring themes of love, power, ambition, and societal norms. He was adept at blending elements of the Gothic, historical fiction, and science fiction, which allowed him to reach a broad audience and influence the development of these genres. Notably, he is credited with popularizing the phrase “the pen is mightier than the sword” in his play “Richelieu; Or the Conspiracy” (1839).
Among his most celebrated novels are:
- “The Last Days of Pompeii” (1834): Set in the final days of Pompeii before the city is destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, this novel combines historical detail with a compelling narrative of love, betrayal, and fate.
- “Eugene Aram” (1832): A novel based on the true story of an 18th-century English scholar convicted of murder, exploring themes of guilt, redemption, and the pursuit of knowledge.
- “Paul Clifford” (1830): Famous for its opening line, “It was a dark and stormy night,” this novel delves into the life of its titular character, from his upbringing in the criminal underworld to his eventual reformation.
- “The Last of the Barons” (1843): A historical novel set during the Wars of the Roses, focusing on the power struggle between King Edward IV and the Earl of Warwick.
- “The Coming Race” (1871): An early science fiction novel that explores the concept of a subterranean world inhabited by an advanced society, known as the Vril-ya. This work has been influential in speculative fiction, exploring themes of utopia, technology, and superhuman powers.
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1858: The Plays of Shakespeare, ed. by Howard Staunton
$105.00“The Plays of Shakespeare,” edited by Howard Staunton and published in 1858 by George Routledge & Co in London, represents a significant contribution to the world of Shakespearean literature. Volume I of this series is particularly noteworthy, not just for the meticulous editing by Staunton, a renowned Shakespearean scholar of the 19th century, but also for its incorporation of illustrations by John Gilbert, masterfully engraved by the brothers Dalziel.
Staunton’s edition is celebrated for its accuracy and attention to detail, offering a purist approach to Shakespeare’s works. His scholarly rigor in presenting the texts made this edition a valuable resource for both contemporary audiences and future generations. The addition of Gilbert’s illustrations enriched the edition, providing visual interpretations of Shakespeare’s scenes and characters that complemented Staunton’s precise editing. -
1929: Typhoon and Other Stories, by Joseph Conrad
$25.00“Typhoon and Other Stories” by Joseph Conrad is a vivid representation of Conrad’s experiences as a seaman. “Typhoon,” the centerpiece of the collection, is a gripping tale of a steamship and its crew braving a fierce storm, serving as a powerful metaphor for the human struggle against overwhelming odds. Conrad’s narrative is renowned for its intense descriptions and psychological depth, delving into the inner lives of the characters as they face external dangers and their own internal conflicts. The stories in this collection are marked by Conrad’s characteristic themes of isolation, the unforgiving nature of the sea, and the complexities of moral and ethical dilemmas.
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1930 RARE: All Our Yesterdays, by H. M. Tomlinson, Numbered and Signed Limited Edition Book
$485.00All Our Yesterdays is a rare and influential anti-war novel written by H. M. Tomlinson in 1930. The limited edition book features a portrait front piece from a drawing by Percy Smith and is signed and numbered by the author. This particular copy is numbered 837 out of 1025 copies for sale in Great Britain and Ireland. The hardcover beige cloth volume is adorned with gilt stamped ornamentation on the cover and lettering on the spine, with the top edge gilt and fore-edges and bottom edge untrimmed. Although there are minor instances of occasional foxing, the book is in very fine condition and comes with a clear plastic sleeve and ribbon marker. However, the original slipcase is present but shows considerable rubbing, fading, and signs of wear.
This book is a must-have for a WWI historian or collector, as it offers a rare glimpse into the anti-war sentiment of the time. Tomlinson’s novel provides a unique perspective on the devastating effects of war on individuals and society as a whole.
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1949: A Graveyard to Let, Another Adventure of Sir Henry Merrivale, by Carter Dickson (John Dickson Carr)
$45.00A Graveyard to Let is a mystery novel by Carter Dickson (John Dickson Carr) that follows the adventures of Sir Henry Merrivale. The story takes place in a small village in England, where a group of people gather to investigate a haunted graveyard. However, things take a sinister turn when a murder occurs, and Sir Henry Merrivale is called upon to solve the case. The novel is full of twists and turns, and the reader is kept guessing until the very end.
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1966: The Last Chronicle of Barset, by Anthony Trollope, volume 1 of 2
$45.00The Last Chronicle of Barset is a classic English novel by Anthony Trollope, and is the first volume of a two-part series. The book is part of the Everyman’s Library series and is introduced by Kathleen Tillotson. It is a beautifully designed hardcover volume with a red cover and gilt lettering on the spine. The book is in excellent condition, with no writing or markings, and has soft blue end papers and top edges. The dust jacket is bright pink with a drawing on the front, although it does show some signs of wear and fading on the spine.
The Last Chronicle of Barset is a tale of love, politics, and scandal set in the fictional county of Barsetshire. The novel follows the lives of several characters, including clergymen, politicians, and their families, as they navigate the complexities of Victorian society.
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1949: The Scarlet Tree Being the Second Volume of Left Hand, Right Hand! An Autobiography of Osbert Sitwell
$50.00The Scarlet Tree is the second volume of Osbert Sitwell’s autobiography, Left Hand, Right Hand!. The book is beautifully illustrated and tells the story of Sitwell’s life in the years following World War I. The title of the book refers to a tree that Sitwell saw while on a trip to Italy, which he found to be a symbol of the transience of life.
The book provides a fascinating insight into the life of a British aristocrat during the early 20th century, with Sitwell recounting his experiences in the literary and artistic circles of the time. The volume is well-preserved, with a clean and tightly bound orange-red hardcover and gilt lettering on the spine.
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1941: Ten Famous Plays, by John Galsworthy: Silver Fox, Joy, Strife, Justice, The Skin Game, Loyalties, Windows, Old English, Escape
$45.00Ten Famous Plays is a collection of plays written by John Galsworthy and published in 1941. The volume contains ten plays, including The Silver Fox, Strife, Justice, The Skin Game, Loyalties, Windows, Old English, Escape, and The Roof. The book is bound in blue leather with gilt lettering and an emblem of Sir John Deane’s Grammar School on the front cover. Despite some wear and rubbing around the edges and corners, the book is well-bound and in good condition, with no writing or markings inside.
The book is a testament to the enduring popularity of Galsworthy’s plays, which deal with themes such as social justice, loyalty, and escape. The plays are set in various time periods and locations, from medieval England to contemporary society, and explore the complexities of human relationships and the struggle for power and control. Ten Famous Plays is a valuable addition to any theatre lover’s collection and a fascinating glimpse into the work of one of the most celebrated playwrights of the 20th century.
$65.00 -
1968: Edmund Spenser, a Selection of His Works
$40.00Edmund Spenser, a Selection of His Works is a vintage poetry book that features a collection of works by the English poet, Edmund Spenser. Edited by Ian C. Sowton, the book is part of the College Classics in English series, with Northrop Frye as the generator editor. The book includes selections from The Shepheardes Calender, The First Booke of the Faerie Queene, Two Canots of Mutabilitie, A Letter to Sir Water Raleigh, selections from Amoretti, Epithalamion, Prothalamion, and Fowre Hymnes.
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1927: Our Village, by Mary Russell Mitford, with intro by Anne Thackeray Ritchie
$125.00Our Village is a collection of short stories by Mary Russell Mitford, originally published in the early 19th century. The stories are set in a fictional English village and depict the daily lives and struggles of its inhabitants. The book is introduced by Anne Thackeray Ritchie, who provides context and insight into Mitford’s life and work. The edition is illustrated by Hugh Thomson, adding a visual element to the charming and nostalgic tales.
The red cloth hardcover with gilt ornamentation and lettering on the spine gives the book an elegant and classic look. Despite some fading to the spine and slight wear to the cover, the book is in very good condition with no markings. The signature in old faded ink on the inside cover adds a personal touch and a sense of history to the book.
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1933: The Forsythe Saga, in 3 volumes, by John Galsworthy
$105.00The Forsythe Saga is a three-volume novel series by John Galsworthy, published as part of The Works of John Galsworthy Grove Edition. The first volume, The Man of Property, spans 406 pages and introduces readers to the Forsythe family and their wealth and power struggles. The second volume, Indian Summer of a Forsythe In Chancery, is 425 pages long and includes a 1925 newspaper clipping with a book review by George Sampson. This volume delves deeper into the family’s legal battles and emotional turmoil. The third and final volume, Awakening to Let, is 363 pages and concludes the saga with the next generation of Forsythes and their own struggles with love and money.
All three volumes are bound in green hardcovers with gilt lettering and ornamentation, and are in very good condition with no writing or other markings. The faded old ink signature on the inside cover adds to the vintage charm of this classic novel series.
The Forsythe Saga is a timeless tale of family, power, and love that has captivated readers for generations.
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1941: Ashenden or the British Agent, by W. Somerset Maugham
$225.00Ashenden or the British Agent is a classic novel written by W. Somerset Maugham. It follows the story of Ashenden, a British agent during World War I, as he goes on various missions to gather intelligence and thwart enemy plans. The novel is based on Maugham’s own experiences as a British agent during the war, giving it a sense of authenticity and realism.
The novel is divided into several short stories, each one detailing a different mission that Ashenden undertakes. Through these stories, Maugham explores the themes of espionage, betrayal, and loyalty. The novel is a gripping and suspenseful read, with well-developed characters and intricate plot twists. It is a must-read for fans of spy novels and historical fiction.
$300.00 -
1890 RARE: R. Caldecott’s First Collection of Pictures & Songs
$575.00R. Caldecott’s First Collection of Pictures & Songs is a rare antique volume published by Frederick Warne & Co in London in 1890. The book contains eight well-known stories that are beautifully illustrated by R. Caldecott. These stories include The Diverting History of John Gilpin, The House that Jack Built, The Babes in the Wood, and The Farmer’s Boy, among others. The book has a grey cloth hardcover with printed decorative illustration and lettering on the cover and spine. It has minimal wear and tear, with some rubbing along the edges and a small surface rip on the bottom of the inside cover. The book is very clean and well-bound, with no writing or markings anywhere in the book.
Despite being over 130 years old, the book is in remarkably good condition and would make a great addition to any collection. The pages have no foxing or yellowing, and although there are a couple of areas where folios began separating from their neighbors, all are attached to the spine, and no pages are missing. This rare volume is a collector’s item and a testament to the enduring appeal of R. Caldecott’s illustrations and stories.
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1930: The Dream, by H.G. Wells, the Novel Library Series
$40.00The 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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1880s: The Complete Works of Henry Fielding, in 3 volumes, with Thomas Roscoe and George Cruikshank
$450.00This 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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1967: Poems of Byron, Keats, and Shelley, selected and edited by Elliott Coleman, International Collectors Library
$180.00The 1967 edition of “Poems of Byron, Keats, and Shelley” is a collection of selected works from three of the most renowned poets of the Romantic era. Edited by Elliott Coleman, the volume includes complete shorter works and skillfully excerpted long poems, such as “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage,” “Prometheus Unbound,” and “To a Skylark.” The book is part of “The World’s Great Poetry” series of the International Collectors Library and is bound in a soft tan Marie Antoinette replica binding with 24K gold decoration, top edges coated with real gold, and a matching ribbon marker.
The original binding of the volume, on which this replica was based, encased a copy of the Iliad bound by Derome the Younger for Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France. The design of Derome’s binding was adapted by American artist Rafael Palacios for this Collectors Library volume, retaining much of the decoration intact. The book is a collectible item, unopened and unread, and includes the original inlay from ICL with the presentation of the work and the Marie Antoinette binding.
$210.00 -
1942 First Edition: The Life of Francis Drake, by A. E. W. Mason
$50.00The Life of Francis Drake, written by A. E. W. Mason and published in 1942, is a historical account of the life and voyages of the famous English explorer. The book details Drake’s early life as a sailor, his involvement in the slave trade, his circumnavigation of the globe, and his role in defeating the Spanish Armada. Mason’s writing style is engaging and informative, providing readers with a vivid portrait of Drake’s adventures and the historical context in which they occurred. The book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of England, the Age of Exploration, or the life of Francis Drake.
The vintage edition of The Life of Francis Drake is a beautiful volume, with a blue hardcover and intricate green and gilt decoration on the spine. While the book shows some signs of wear due to age, including fading to the pages and wear around the edges and corners, it remains a treasured piece of history.
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1883: The Virginians, by William Makepeace Thackeray, volume V of 12 volumes of The Works
$105.00The 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 -
1948: The Golden Warrior, by Hope Muntz, Chatto and Windus, London
$70.00The Golden Warrior by Hope Muntz is a historical fiction novel set in post-World War II England. The story follows the lives of two families, the aristocratic Chalfonts and the working-class Smiths, as they navigate the changing social and political landscape of the time. Against the backdrop of the impending wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, the characters grapple with issues of class, love, and loyalty. The novel offers a vivid portrayal of the era, with detailed descriptions of fashion, music, and societal norms.
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1950: Women in Love, by D. H. Lawrence
$65.00Women in Love by D.H. Lawrence is a classic novel that was re-issued in 1950. The story follows the lives of two sisters, Ursula and Gudrun, as they navigate love, relationships, and societal expectations in early 20th century England. The novel explores themes of sexuality, gender roles, and the struggle for personal freedom and fulfillment. Lawrence’s writing style is known for its poetic and philosophical nature, and Women in Love is no exception. The book is a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate readers with its vivid characters and thought-provoking themes.
This particular edition of Women in Love is a collectible item, with an immaculate green hardcover cloth volume and gilt ornamentation on the cover. The book is in very fine condition, as good as new, and features deckled edges.