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1919: Quality Street, by J. M. Barrie, Theatre Play in Three Acts
Quality Street is a theatre play in three acts written by J. M. Barrie and published in 1919 by Charles Scribner’s Sons. The play is set in the early 19th century in Quality Street, a fictional street in England, and follows the story of two sisters, Phoebe and Susan, who are in love with the same man, Valentine Brown. When Valentine goes off to war, the sisters decide to open a school for girls and dress up as their younger selves to attract students. However, when Valentine returns, he fails to recognize them and falls in love with Phoebe, causing a series of misunderstandings and comedic situations.
The book is a uniform edition with a green cloth hardcover and gilt stamped lettering on the cover and spine. It is in exceptionally good condition for a 103-year-old book, with only minor rubbing on the cover and some fading and occasional foxing on the pages. The book features thick, quality paper and printing and is tightly bound and clean. It also includes an ink inscription on the inside cover dated to 1922. Quality Street is a charming and entertaining play that would make a wonderful gift for theatre enthusiasts and fans of J. M. Barrie’s work.
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1898: The Complete Works of Lord Alfred Tennyson, Poet Laureate, Illustrations by Gustave Dore
This book is a collection of all the works of Lord Alfred Tennyson, who was the Poet Laureate of England. The book is beautifully illustrated with eight plates reproduced from Gustave Dore’s famous drawings. The volume is bound in black leather with gilt lettering on the spine and all page edges are painted red. There is mild discoloration caused by moisture on the front end paper and some minor foxing and staining on certain pages. The book is well-bound and a pleasure to hold. This book would make a great gift for anyone who loves poetry.
$175.00 -
1940s – A Book of Discovery: The History of the World’s Exploration, from the Earliest Time to the Finding of the South Pole, M. B. Synge
A Book of Discovery: The History of the World’s Exploration, from the Earliest Time to the Finding of the South Pole is a non-fiction book by M.B. Synge that chronicles the history of human exploration from ancient times to the early 20th century. The book is fully illustrated with maps and images from authentic sources, providing a comprehensive and engaging account of the world’s most famous explorers and their expeditions. Although the book is undated, a pencil inscription suggests it was published in 1942, making it a valuable historical artifact in its own right.
Despite some wear and tear on the cover and spine, the book is in excellent condition and would make a wonderful gift for anyone interested in history or exploration. The pages are minimally discolored and there is only minor foxing on the front end papers and title page. The fore edges and bottom edges are deckled, adding to the book’s vintage charm.
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1925: The Talisman, a Romance by Sir Walter Scott, Bart., edited by Rederick Treudley, A. B.
The 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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1890 RARE: R. Caldecott’s First Collection of Pictures & Songs
R. 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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Pre-1920s: Poems by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Poems by Ella Wheeler Wilcox is a collection of poems by American poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox. The book was published by Gay and Hancock, Limited in London and contains 413 pages. Although the book is undated, there is an ink inscription on the half title page dated to Jan 23, 1920. The volume is a softcover in burgundy leather with gilt lettering on the cover and spine. There is some moderate wear consistent with age, including a small tear on the bottom of the spine. The cover is separating from the book body due to a tear in the end papers, but this is mendable. The body of the book is clean, well-bound, and in very good condition. All page edges are gilt. This book is a beautiful antique volume and would make a perfect gift for a poetry lover.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox was a popular American poet in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for her optimistic and inspirational poems. This collection of her work includes some of her most famous poems, such as “Solitude” and “Laugh, and the World Laughs With You.” The book is a testament to the enduring popularity of Wilcox’s work, as well as a glimpse into the world of poetry in the early 20th century. Poems by Ella Wheeler Wilcox is a fascinating and beautiful volume that would make a great addition to any poetry lover’s collection.
$295.00 -
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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1900s: A Gypsy Against Her Will, or Worth Her Weight in Gold, by Emma Leslie
A Gypsy Against Her Will, or Worth Her Weight in Gold is a children’s book written by Emma Leslie and published by Blackie and Son Limited in the early 1900s. The book tells the story of a young gypsy girl who is taken against her will and sold into slavery. The protagonist, named Zillah, is forced to work in a circus and endure mistreatment from her captors. However, she remains resilient and determined to escape and return to her family.
The book is a classic tale of perseverance and the strength of the human spirit. It also sheds light on the mistreatment of gypsies and the prevalence of slavery during the early 1900s.
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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