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1956: The Firstborn, a play by Christopher Fry, Second Edition
The Firstborn is a play in three acts written by Christopher Fry and published by Oxford University Press. The second edition, which is a small blue cloth hardcover volume with gilt lettering on the spine, was published in the same year. The play tells the story of the biblical character Moses and his struggles with his family, his people, and his faith. The play explores themes of leadership, sacrifice, and redemption, and is known for its poetic language and philosophical depth.
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1925: The Great Pandolfo, by William J. Locke
The Great Pandolfo is a novel by William J. Locke that tells the story of Pandolfo, a talented musician who is forced to leave his home country of Italy and seek refuge in England due to a scandal. In England, Pandolfo struggles to make a living as a musician and ends up working as a waiter in a restaurant. However, his talent is eventually discovered by a wealthy woman named Lady Millingham, who becomes his patron and helps him achieve success as a musician. The novel explores themes of love, friendship, and the pursuit of artistic excellence.
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1968: Send Him Victorious, by Douglas Hurd and Andrew Osmond
Send Him Victorious is a political thriller novel written by Douglas Hurd and Andrew Osmond. The book is set in 1968, a year of political turmoil and social unrest in Britain. The story revolves around the Prime Minister of Britain, Harry Carrington, who is facing a crisis as the country is on the brink of a revolution. With the help of his loyal aides, Carrington must navigate through the political landscape and make tough decisions to save his government from collapsing.
The authors, both former politicians, use their insider knowledge to create a gripping and realistic portrayal of the political world. The book is filled with suspense, intrigue, and unexpected twists that keep the reader engaged until the very end.
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1931: The History of Chevalier Des Grieux and of Manon Lescaut, by Abbe Prevost D’Exiles
The History of Chevalier Des Grieux and of Manon Lescaut is a classic French novel by Abbe Prevost D’Exiles, originally published in 1731. The novel tells the tragic love story of Des Grieux, a young nobleman, and Manon Lescaut, a beautiful and charming woman who leads him into a life of debauchery and crime. The novel is renowned for its vivid portrayal of 18th-century French society, its exploration of the themes of love, passion, and morality, and its powerful and emotional ending. This edition of the novel, translated by Helen Waddel and with an introduction by George Saintsbury, was published in London in 1931 and is a beautiful antique volume with a cloth spine, gilt lettering, and deckled fore-edges.
Despite some wear and rubbing around the corners and edges of the faded board covers, the book is in near-immaculate condition, with no writing or markings on the pages. This edition is a wonderful example of a classic French novel and a beautiful addition to any book collection.
$75.00 -
1924: Shirley, a novel by Charlotte, Emily and Anne Bronte, part XIV of the World’s Classics
Shirley is a novel written by the Bronte sisters, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne, and was published in 1924. The story is set in Yorkshire during the Napoleonic Wars and follows the lives of two young women, Caroline and Shirley. Caroline is a quiet and reserved girl who lives with her uncle, while Shirley is a wealthy heiress who owns a large estate. The two women become friends and their lives become intertwined as they navigate love, politics, and social class in a changing world.
The novel is a classic example of Victorian literature and explores themes of gender roles, class divisions, and the struggles of women in a male-dominated society. The Bronte sisters were known for their strong female characters and Shirley is no exception. The novel is a captivating read that transports the reader to a bygone era and provides a glimpse into the lives of women during a time of great social and political change.
$65.00 -
1889: Poetical Works by Elizabeth Barret Barret (Mrs. E. B. Browning)
Poetical Works by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a collection of poems by the renowned poet, published by George Routledge and Sons in London. The hardcover volume features a half leather binding with a leather spine and corners, adorned with gilt lettering and ornamentation on the spine. The fore-edges are painted in the same color and design as the endpapers and cover. The book is in a fine condition with minimal wear, except for a rip separating the front cover from the spine, which is being held together by thread.
$105.00 -
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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1970s: Barchester Towers, by Anthony Trollope, International Collectors Library
Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope is a classic novel that has been beautifully reproduced in a vintage edition by the International Collectors Library. The book features drawings by Donald McKay and is bound in dark green leatherette with rich gilt ornamentation and lettering on the cover and spine. The deckled edges and top edges gilt add to the vintage charm of the book. The replica edition closely follows the original design by French master bookbinder Emile Mercier, with an all-over pattern of squares running diagonally and rosettes at each corner. The spine bears raised bands and is divided into six panels with a gold pointelle ornament. The slate blue cover has genuine gold on the filigreed front cover and panelled spine, and there is a matching ribbon marker. This collectible edition of Barchester Towers is part of the Great English Novels of the 19th Century series and would make a wonderful gift for any lover of classic literature.
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1969: Arundel, by Kenneth Roberts, International Collectors Library
Arundel by Kenneth Roberts is a historical fiction novel set during the early days of the American Revolution. The story follows Benedict Arnold and his army of colonials as they make their way through the Maine wilderness towards Quebec. The author’s meticulous attention to historical detail is evident in his descriptions of the exact locations of barricades, defending forces, and houses in old Quebec at the time of Arnold’s attack. The novel is not only an engaging story but also a fresh and shrewd approach to pre-Revolutionary American history.
The International Collectors Library edition of Arundel is bound in wine red with a pronounced grain and features a cover design by celebrated American artist and designer Rafael Palacios. The design includes original arrangements of lines and geometric forms that reflect the dynamic impact of twentieth-century literature upon the culture and thinking of our times. The volume is stamped in genuine 24K gold on the cover and spine and features coated gold top edges and a matching ribbon marker. The clean, uncluttered design and attention to detail make this edition a beautiful addition to any collection.