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1905: A Maker of History, by E. Phillips Oppenheim
$95.00A Maker of History is a historical novel written by E. Phillips Oppenheim and published by Ward, Locke & Co in London in 1905. This second edition, consisting of 315 pages, is a valuable addition to any history enthusiast’s collection. The book features a blue hardcover with color and gilt ornamentation and lettering on the cover and spine, showcasing its exquisite design.
Although there is minor wear and rubbing on the cover and spine, particularly around the edges, the book remains in very good condition for its age. Inside, the front advertisement page is separated from the spine but is still present. The pages have yellowed and show signs of foxing, which is expected given its age.
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1972: Old Tales Retold, by Lu Hsun
$40.00Old Tales Retold by Lu Hsun, second edition published by Foreign Language Press in Peking in 1972. This compact softcover volume consists of 137 pages and offers a collection of retold tales.
The book explores various themes and provides a fresh perspective on traditional stories.
With minor rubbing, wear, and staining on the cover, the book is in very good condition overall. It is clean, without any writing or markings, and tightly bound. A red stamp belonging to the National Publications Centre can be found on the bottom back cover.
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2010 First Edition: Beatrice & Virgil, by Yann Martel
$55.00Beatrice & Virgil is a contemporary novel written by Yann Martel and published by Alfred Knopf in Canada in 2010. This first edition, first printing with a full number line is a collector’s copy. The book features a pictorial grey hardcover volume and an immaculate dust jacket. With 197 pages, this brand new and unread book is in pristine condition.
The novel delves into the lives of the characters Beatrice and Virgil, exploring their complex relationship and the themes of art, morality, and the Holocaust. Martel weaves a thought-provoking narrative that challenges readers to contemplate the power of storytelling and the nature of humanity. With its unique blend of fiction and allegory, Beatrice & Virgil offers a profound and introspective reading experience.
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1986 First Edition – Lillian Hellman: The Image, The Woman, by William Wright
$65.00Lillian Hellman: The Image, The Woman by William Wright is a comprehensive biography that delves into the life and legacy of the renowned playwright and author, Lillian Hellman. Published by Simon & Schuster in New York in 1986, this first edition, first printing offers readers a deep insight into Hellman’s fascinating journey. Both the book and dust jacket are in mint condition, having never been read. While a tiny black mark is visible at the bottom page edges, it does not detract from the overall pristine quality of this valuable piece.
This biography explores Hellman’s remarkable career, her influential works, and the key themes of truth, justice, and personal integrity that are central to her writings.
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1947: Gulliver’s Travels, by Jonathan Swift, illustrated by Alden Watson
$55.00Gulliver’s Travels is a classic work of fiction by Jonathan Swift, illustrated by Alden Watson. This revised and slightly abridged edition is part of the Illustrated Junior Library series by Grosset & Dunlap. The book follows the adventures of Lemuel Gulliver, a ship’s surgeon who finds himself stranded in various fantastical lands inhabited by strange creatures and encountering bizarre customs. The story is a satire on human nature and society, and Swift uses Gulliver’s experiences to comment on various aspects of 18th-century English society, including politics, religion, and science.
This vintage edition of Gulliver’s Travels is beautifully illustrated and in excellent condition, with no markings or writing in the book. Although the dust jacket shows minor wear, it would make a wonderful addition to any home library.
$75.00 -
1947 First Edition – Adversary in the House: a Biographical Novel by Irving Stone
$135.00Adversary in the House is a biographical novel by Irving Stone that was published in 1947. The book tells the story of the life of Claude Debussy, a French composer who is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the world of music. The novel is set in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and follows Debussy’s life from his childhood in Paris to his rise as a prominent composer. The book is written in a narrative style and provides a detailed account of Debussy’s personal life, his relationships, and his struggles as an artist.
Stone’s writing style is engaging and immersive, and he does an excellent job of bringing Debussy’s world to life. The book is well-researched and provides a fascinating insight into the life of one of the most celebrated composers of all time. Adversary in the House is a must-read for anyone interested in music, history, or biographical novels.
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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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1925: The Talisman, a Romance by Sir Walter Scott, Bart., edited by Rederick Treudley, A. B.
$55.00The Talisman, a Romance by Sir Walter Scott, Bart. is a classic novel edited by Rederick Treudley, A. B. The story is set during the Third Crusade and follows the adventures of a Scottish knight named Sir Kenneth, who is sent to the Holy Land to aid King Richard the Lionheart in his fight against the Saracens. Along the way, Sir Kenneth falls in love with a beautiful Saracen princess named Edith, and must navigate the complex political and religious tensions of the time in order to protect her and fulfill his duty to his king.
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1918: Romola, vol. IV, by George Eliot
$65.00Romola, vol. IV, by George Eliot is a classic work of literature that was published in 1918. The book is a beautifully preserved leather softback volume with gilt stamped ornamentation on the cover and decoration and lettering on the spine. The book contains 891 pages with all page edges gilt in the original rose gold. The inside covers are made of green marbled paper, and there are occasional folded page corners throughout the book.
The book contains a pen inscription on one of the blank front end papers, stating that the book belongs to Bernice Thronson Fjoslien, and that the inscription was made by her mother on August 23, 1954, at Erdahl Manor. Additionally, there is a poem inscribed in faded ink on the next black page, and the half title pages contain a few accidental lines of black ink.
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1957: Jo’s Boys and How They Turned Out, a sequel to “Little Men”, by Louisa May Alcott
$55.00Jo’s Boys and How They Turned Out is a sequel to Louisa May Alcott’s Little Men. The book follows the lives of the boys from the original story as they grow up and face the challenges of adulthood. The novel explores themes of love, friendship, and the importance of education. The book is illustrated by Ruth Ives and was published by Nelson Doubleday Inc in 1957. The volume is a beautiful leather hardcover with green and beige coloring, stamped ornamentation on the cover, and silver and black stamped lettering and decoration on the spine. Despite a small scratch on the cover and slight foxing on the top page edges, the book is remarkably preserved and has no writing or markings of any kind.
$80.00 -
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 -
1926: Perella, by William Locke
$65.00Perella is a classic novel written by William Locke and published by Dodd, Mead and Company in 1926. The book is a red hardcover volume with impressed lettering on the cover and black lettering on the spine. It has slight rubbing and wear on the cover and spine, mostly around the edges, and deckled fore edges. The book has been carefully mended at the title page, where the block was beginning to separate from the spine. Despite its age, the book is very clean, with no writing or markings.
The novel tells the story of Perella, a young woman who is forced to leave her home in Italy and move to England with her father. In England, Perella falls in love with a young man named Francis Sales, but their relationship is complicated by the fact that Francis is engaged to another woman. The book explores themes of love, loyalty, and the challenges of navigating cultural differences.
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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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1930: The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp, by W.H .Davies, preface by G. Bernard Shaw
$95.00The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp is a memoir by W.H. Davies, with a preface by G. Bernard Shaw. The book is part of The Travellers’ Library series and was published by Jonathan Cape in London. The memoir chronicles Davies’ life as a tramp and his experiences traveling throughout the United Kingdom and the United States in the early 20th century. Davies’ writing style is straightforward and honest, and he provides vivid descriptions of the people and places he encounters on his travels. The book offers a unique perspective on the life of a tramp during a time of great social and economic upheaval.
The hardcover edition of the book is in very good condition, with a blue cover and gilt lettering and ornamentation on the spine. There is a slight forward tilt to the spine, but otherwise the book is in excellent shape. The inside cover features an old faded signature from a previous owner, as well as a paper cutout with a 1920 portrait print of Davies by Laura Knight.
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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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1927-29 2 volumes: Three Plays for Puritans, and Saint Joan, by George Bernard Shaw, part of Plays by Bernard Shaw series
$65.00The two-volume set, Three Plays for Puritans and Saint Joan, by George Bernard Shaw, is a collection of plays that showcase Shaw’s wit and social commentary. Three Plays for Puritans includes The Devil’s Disciple, Caesar and Cleopatra, and Captain Brassbound’s Conversion, each exploring themes of morality, religion, and politics through Shaw’s signature satirical lens. In Saint Joan, Shaw tells the story of Joan of Arc and her trial and execution, using the historical figure to comment on issues of power and authority.
The blue softcover “leatherette” books are adorned with gilt lettering and ornamentation, though they show some wear and rubbing around the tops and bottoms of the spines. The pages have yellowed with age, but the set includes a newspaper/magazine clipping from 1924 and an inset vintage portrait of Shaw. Both volumes are signed in old faded ink on the inside covers, adding to the historical significance of this collection.
$85.00 -
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 -
1945:Glass Timberlane, by Sinclair Lewis
$75.00Glass Timberlane is a classic novel by Sinclair Lewis that was published in 1945. The book is set in the fictional town of Grand Republic, which is based on Lewis’s hometown of Sauk Centre, Minnesota. The story follows the life of a young lawyer named George F. Babbitt, who is struggling to find his place in the world. Babbitt is a man who is torn between his desire for success and his longing for something more meaningful in life. As he navigates the ups and downs of his career and personal life, Babbitt must confront the harsh realities of the world around him and come to terms with his own limitations.
The book is a powerful commentary on the American Dream and the pursuit of happiness in a rapidly changing world. Through Babbitt’s struggles, Lewis exposes the flaws and contradictions of modern society, while also celebrating the resilience and determination of the human spirit.
$120.00