Ad Lectorem

Londini; [London], Johannis Nichols, 1785. Paperback. A very scarce pamphlet containing a competition for writing, an interesting and unique work. A very scarce pamphlet consisting of an international literary competition. For the competition, entries must be in Latin, with three copies sent by July 1787 to agents in Vienna, Paris, or London. The first prize was 1000 gold imperials, and 500 gold imperials for the second prize.With a title vignette.Collated, complete. In the original paper wraps. Externally, smart. Spine is a little age-toned. Light marks to the wraps. Very light edge wear. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean with a few scattered spots. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: None. Very Good Indeed .

Rooke Books Professional seller

Book no.: 908P9

GBP 295,00 ≈ [Appr.: EURO 336.25 US$ 387.87 | JP¥ 59812]

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: Ad Lectorem competition latin john nichols competition None

A Collection of Handwritten Extracts

None, None, 1938 . First edition. Leather. A unique collection of handwritten extracts and notes from various works, written between May and October 1938. Bound in quarter crushed morocco with marbled boards.A collection of extracts and notes from various works, handwritten, between May and October 1938. With a handwritten pagination of 141 pages. Comprised of a wide array of extracts, including a poem from the Observer entitled "The Slave", a letter written by St. John Ervine printed in The Times, extracts from the autobiographies of Thomas Wright of Olney and G. K. Chesterton, Arnold Bennett"s "Literary Taste", Kurt London"s "The Seven Soviet Arts", "The Life and Letters of Lord Macaulay", "The Torrington Diaries", Miguel de Unamuno"s "The Tragic Sense of Life", a list of the Sovereigns of France, and poetry from a number of different authors, including Winthrop Young, Siegfried Sassoon and Robert Hayman. With a woodcut by Robert Gibbings and a newspaper cutting of Merchant Adventurers" Hall.Written in blank ink with the occasional margin notes in red ink. Bound in quarter crushed morocco with marbled boards. Externally, very smart, with light rubbing to the extremities and boards. Number '15' label to the spine. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean, written very neatly in blank ink with the occasional notes in red ink. Author's note detailing the dates written to the rear of the work. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: None. Very Good Indeed .

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Book no.: 903Q11

GBP 180,00 ≈ [Appr.: EURO 205.25 US$ 236.67 | JP¥ 36496]

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: handwritten poetry G K Chesterton St John Ervine poetry leather binding Siegfried Sassoon None

Introductions, and Notes and Illustrations, to the Novels, Tales and Romances, of the Author of Waverley

Edinburgh, Robert Cadell, 1833 . First edition. Leather. A complete set of three volumes containing notes surrounding the Waverley novels, bound in half crushed morocco by Root & Son. The first edition. Complete in three volumes. Uniformly bound by Root & Son in a lovely half crushed morocco prize binding, with marbled paper-covered boards and a gilt motif of Giggleswick School to the front cover.This very scarce work presents introductions, notes and comments on illustrations to the Waverley novels, written by Scottish poet, author and historian, Sir Walter Scott. Volume I surrounds Waverley to Heart of Midlothian; Volume II presents the Bride of Lammermoor to Peveril Peak; Volume III surrounds Quentin Durward to Castle Dangerous. With a prize bookplate of Giggleswick School to the front endpaper, with the pictorial bookplate of John Waugh to the front paste down. Bound by Root & Son in half crushed morocco and paper-covered boards. Externally, lovely, with light shelf wear and slight fading to the spine and extremities. Bookplates to the front paste down and endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages generally bright and clean with the occasional area of scattered spotting, mainly to the first and last pages. Near Fine . Ill.: None. Near Fine .

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Book no.: 914Q20

GBP 495,00 ≈ [Appr.: EURO 564 US$ 650.84 | JP¥ 100363]

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: Sir Walter Scott Waverley Novels notes literary criticism Waverley Novels root & son None

[Joseph Addison]; [Richard Steele]; [Various]

The Spectator

London, J. and R. Tonson and S. Draper, c1753. Leather. A complete set of the popular short-lived periodical by Joseph Addison and Richard Steele, complete with a frontispiece to each volume. Complete in eight volumes.Illustrated with a frontispiece to each volume.'The Spectator" was a daily publication than ran from 1711 to 1712, created by Joseph Addison and Richard Steele. It was widely read despite its modest circulation, including being read by James Madison when he was a teenager.Richard Steele was an Irish politician and playwright. He was a member of the Kit-Kat Club, an English Whig club with strong literary and political associations. His first successful play was 'The Funeral', which was performed at Drury Lane.Joseph Addison was an essayist, politician and playwright. He also held form the Kit-Kat Club, which renewed his friendship with Richard Steele, whom he at met at Charterhouse School. His most famous work was 'Cato, a Tragedy', a successful play about Marcus Porcius Cato Uticensis.Addison and Steele founded several publications during their friendship, including the literary and social journal "Tatler", which published from 1709 to 1711. Steele also founded the short lived "The Guardian". None of these publications are related to the modern day ones which share their same names. In a half calf binding with marbled paper to the boards, neatly rebacked with the original boards and spines restored. Externally, rubbed, mostly to the boards. Minor bumping to the extremities. Discolouration to the extremities. Crack to the rear joint of Volume I. Backstrips are worn with some loss and surface cracks, repaired with the rebacking. Cracks to the joints of Volume II, III, V, VI, and VII. Front hinge of Volume III is strained. Front hinge of Volume V is starting but firm. Stain to the bottom edge of Volume VII, affecting the text. Internally, firmly bound, Volume VII is weak and textblock may fail, even with careful handling. Pages are lightly age-toned and generally clean with scattered spots, a little heavier to the first and last few pages. Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Good .

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Book no.: 856P6

GBP 495,00 ≈ [Appr.: EURO 564 US$ 650.84 | JP¥ 100363]

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: The Spectator joseph addison richard steele essays joseph addison Not Stated

Joseph Addison; Thomas Tickell

The Works of the Right Honourable Joseph Addison

London, Vernor and Hood; John Walked; Cuthell and Martin; et al, 1804. Leather. An illustrated edition of the collected works of Joseph Addison, comprising of his best known literary works. Complete in six volumes.The collected works of Joseph Addison.Addison was an essayist, poet, playwright, and politician, active during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. He is best remembered today for his essays.Addison had a lifelong friendship and professional relationship with Richard Steele, with whom he founded 'The Spectator', a daily publication than ran from 1711 to 1712.Volume I is illustrated with a frontispiece.Volume V is illustrated with eight plates.Volumes I and II contain 'The Spectator, Volume III contains 'Spectator' and 'Tatler, Volume IV contains 'Guardian', 'Freeholder', 'Whig-Examiner', and 'Lover', Volume V contains 'Dialogues upon the usefulness of ancient medals', 'Remarks on several parts of Italy, &c. in the year 1701, 1702, 1703', 'The late trial and conviction of Count Tariff', 'Of the Christian religion', and 'An essay on Virgil's Georgics', Volume VI contains 'Poetry&apos.Edited by Thomas Tickell, who was the Under Secretary to Addison. He collected these works as instructed by Addison, the first edition being published in 1721. Collated, Volume I lacks the front endpaper, otherwise work is complete. In a half calf binding with marbled paper to the boards. Externally, a little rubbed. Loss to the head of the spine of Volume VI. Light bumping to the extremities. Age-toning to the extremities of the boards. A very small amount of loss to the front board of Volume I. Loss of leather to the rear joint of Volume II. Very small amount of loss to the head of the spine of Volume III. Loss of paper to the tail of the front board of Volume III. Cracks to the joints, rear joint of Volume VI is starting. Front hinge of Volume 1 is starting but firm, rear hinge of Volume VI is starting but firm. Hinges of Volume III starting. Spots to the endpapers. Small tide mark to the head of the endpapers of Volume V. Lacking front endpaper to Volume I. Very small tide mark to the front paste down and endpaper of Volume II. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are lightly age-toned and generally clean with scattered spots and handling marks. Occasional ink note to Volume I IV. Plates to Volume V a little trimmed to the head. Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Good .

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Book no.: 904P25

GBP 280,00 ≈ [Appr.: EURO 319.25 US$ 368.15 | JP¥ 56771]

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: The Works of the Right Honourable Joseph Addison joseph addison tickell richard steele joseph addison essays Not Stated

F. G. Aflalo

The Literary Year Book 1897 the Literary Year Book 1901 the Literary Year Book 1908

London, George Allen; Routledge, 1897-1908. Cloth. A scarce first edition of the very first Literary Year Book produced in 1897, and two later copies from 1901 and 1908. In the original binding, a scarce first edition of the 1897 Literary Year Book, published for the first time. There are 15 pages of monochrome photographs, including the frontispiece.Errata slip tipped in to half title.The 1901 and 1908 volumes are also scarce first editions, but without illustration, with the exception of a monochrome frontispiece in the 1901 book.All three volumes have advertisements at the front, with an Index to Advertisers at the rear introducing forty-six pages of advertisements in the 1897 and 1901 editions, and twenty-seven pages in the 1908 one.The three volumes demonstrate the evolution of the Literary Year Book over its first decade. The 1897 work includes illustrated editorial features, alongside directories of British authors and publishers and booksellers. By 1901, the book presents information about book sales, copyright and agreements in Part I, with Part II listing agents, artists, authors, booksellers, publishers etc.  By 1908, the whole book is devoted to directories, with only a small amount of editorial. In publisher's original blue cloth binding, with gilt design to front board. Externally generally smart, with bumping to extremities and rubbing to boards, more severe to the 1897 volume, which has cockling to spine and rear board, and marks to front board. Age toned endpapers in all volumes, heaviest in the 1897 volume. Also off setting and tender hinges in the 1897 volume. Internally, all volumes firmly bound. Pages age toned but generally clean, with scattered spotting, heavier to the first and last few leaves. British library stamps in the 1901 and 1908 volumes to the front free endpaper, and Bermondsey Library stamps throughout. Good . Ill.: None. Good .

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Book no.: 922B11

GBP 160,00 ≈ [Appr.: EURO 182.5 US$ 210.37 | JP¥ 32441]

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: literary year book 1896 literature year book None

John Aikin

An Essay on the Application of Natural History to Poetry

Warrington; London, W. Eyres for J. Johnson, 1777. First edition. Leather. The first edition of this vanishingly scarce study on poetry and what the genre could learn from science, by John Aikin. The first edition.A very scarce work.An essay exploring the question of how science could invigorate the genre of poetry, which the author bemoans as becoming insipid and repetitive. The author believed that poetry could learn a lot from the sciences, in particular the study of nature.By John Aikin, a doctor and surgeon, practicing in various places including London and Great Yarmouth. After retiring from medicine in 1798 he pursued and succeeded in literary pursuits. His best known work is his ten volumes 'General Biography&apos. Through one of his sons he was the grandfather of the author Anna Letitia le Breton, who wrote poetry, essays, and children's books.Bookplate of J. O. Edwards to the front paste down, and to the verso of the front endpaper. Prize inscription to the recto of the front endpaper. In a half calf binding with marbled paper to the boards. Externally, generally smart, with loss to the head of the spine and spine label. Some discolouration to the spine and extremities. Light rubbing to the boards. Small tears to the head of the joints. Front hinge is a little strained but remains firm, rear hinge is starting. Bookplate and bookseller's label to the front paste down, bookplate to the verso of the front endpaper. Prize inscription to the recto of the front endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are lightly age-toned with scattered spots. Good . Ill.: None. Good .

Rooke Books Professional seller

Book no.: 957P41

GBP 440,00 ≈ [Appr.: EURO 501.5 US$ 578.52 | JP¥ 89211]

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: An Essay on the Application of Natural History to Poetry poetry natural history literary criticism poetry None

Brian Aldiss; Various

A Garland of First Lines

Oxford, Printworks, c2002. Paperback. A very scarce chapbook by Brian Aldiss, collecting together some of his favourite first lines in literature, from Aldiss' library. A very scarce work.From the library of the author.'A Garland of First Lines' is a charming chapbook by Brian Aldiss, collecting together some of the best first lines in works across history.Authors quoted in this work include Aldous Huxley, Isaac Disraeli, William Golding, Virginia Woolf, Kurt Vonnegut, Evelyn Waugh, George Orwell, Philip K. Dick, and more.A reprint, digitally printed from a copy supplied by Parchment Oxford LTD, for by Printworks in Oxford.From the library of Brian Aldiss, with a note loosely inserted regarding the provenance from his daughter, Wendy Aldiss. Aldiss was a popular English science fiction author, an influential writer of the twentieth century. One of his short stories, 'Supertoys Last All Summer Long', was the basis for the Stanley Kubrick - Steven Spielberg 2001 film 'A. I. Artificial Intelligence&apos. He was part of the British New Wave of sci-fi, and was greatly influenced by H. G. Wells. In the original publisher's paper wraps. Externally, fine. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Fine . Ill.: None. Fine .

Rooke Books Professional seller

Book no.: 914P18

GBP 160,00 ≈ [Appr.: EURO 182.5 US$ 210.37 | JP¥ 32441]

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: A Garland of First Lines first lines brian aldiss first lines None

Arthur M Alexrad

Jane Austen&Apos;S Sanditon a Village by the Sea

Indiana, AuthorHouse, 2010. First edition. Cloth. Arthur Axelrad's interesting analysis of Jane Austen's unfinished 'Sanditon&apos. 'Sanditon' was an unfinished novel, left behind by Jane Austen when she died in 1817. There were only 120 pages of this manuscript, but it has been thoroughly analysed in a critical manner over the past couple of hundred years. In this book, Arthur Axelrad discussed the manuscript in great detail, following on from his 2003 publication 'Jane Austen Caught in the Act of Greatness&apos. With a book plate to the front endpaper, 'David John Gilson&apos. Gilson was an Austen scholar published 'A Bibliography of Jane Austen', a revision of Sir Geoffrey Keyne's Austen bibliography. With a dedication on the title page from the author to David Gilson. In the original publisher's cloth binding, with the original unclipped dustwapper. Externally, smart. A small spot to the foredge. With a book plate to the front endpaper, 'David John Gilson&apos. Dustwrapper has some very minor edgewear to the head of spine, and a very light marking to the bottom of the front board. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean throughout. Near Fine . Ill.: None. Near Fine/Near Fine.

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Book no.: 599P14

GBP 150,00 ≈ [Appr.: EURO 171 US$ 197.22 | JP¥ 30413]

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: jane austen arthur axelrad sanditon pride and prejudice arthur axelrad sense and sensibility northanger abbey None

Archibald Alison

Essays on the Nature and Principles of Taste. In Two Volumes

Edinburgh, Bell and Bradfute and Archibald Constable and Co, 1811. Leather. Two wonderful essays from the passionate pen of Alison, these essays being major theoretical works of the Edinburgh enlightenment. Includes: Essay 1: of the nature of the emotions of sublimity and beauty, and Essay 2: of the sublimity and beauty of the material world. Armorial bookplates to front pastedowns. Sir Archibald Alison, first baronet (1792–1867) was a historian and lawyer. Alison declared it his life's work "to oppose the erroneous opinions which, since the French Revolution and in consequence of it, had, as I conceived, overspread the world, in political, economical and social concerns". It was through the gloomy foreboding with which he greeted all suggestion of constitutional change in Britain that he first came to public notice. On seeing that this was what the whigs intended, he made his name with a series of thirteen articles in Blackwood's, from January 1831 to January 1832 which, inevitably, linked parliamentary reform with the French revolution of 1830. Alison elaborated these sombre theses in the ten volumes of his History of Europe during the French Revolution (1833–42). The central failure he identified in the France of the ancien régime, as in present-day Britain, was the ruling class's reluctance to stand up to popular intimidation. Britain might have been spared the fate of France, but had no grounds for confidence in the future: whig ministries were practically treasonable, and 1832 heralded an era of democracy and the descent into anarchy. Despite the heavy political baggage, his work offered the first survey of the revolution in English, and several editions won huge sales on both sides of the Atlantic, with translations into French, German, and even Arabic. DNB In full marbled calf bindings. Externally attractive although a trifle rubbed, joints cracked. Internally, firmly bound. Bright and generally clean aside from some light scattered spotting. Mild off-setting from the text to adjacent pages. Good . Ill.: None. Good .

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Book no.: LTH20-E-9

GBP 290,00 ≈ [Appr.: EURO 330.5 US$ 381.3 | JP¥ 58798]

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: Alison Historian Lawyer Biography Historian Edinburgh None

Eric Ambler

Here Lies: An Autobiography

London, Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1985 . First edition. Cloth. A signed first impression of the autobiography of author and screenwriter Eric Ambler, celebrated for his many spy novels. The first edition, first impression, in the publisher's original unclipped dust wrapper. Flat signed by the author to the title page.The fascinating autobiography of Ambler, and author remembered for the spy novels 'The Mask of Dimitrios' and 'Journey into Fear', and for penning the screenplay of the 1958 motion picture 'A Night to Remember', about the sinking of the Titanic.Illustrated with eight plates. Collated, complete. In the publisher's original cloth binding, with unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, fine. Dust wrapper in excellent condition. Internally, firmly bound. Signed to title page. Pages clean and bright. Fine . Ill.: None. Fine/Fine.

Rooke Books Professional seller

Book no.: 903F27

GBP 150,00 ≈ [Appr.: EURO 171 US$ 197.22 | JP¥ 30413]

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: Eric Ambler The Dark Frontier Uncommon Danger spy novel The Dark Frontier None

Kingsley Amis

The James Bond Dossier

London, Jonathan Cape, 1965. First edition. Cloth. A fine, signed copy of Kingsley Amis' analysis of the James Bond Novels. Signed by Kingsley Amis to a tipped in bookplate to the recto of front free endpaper: 'Signed for a member of the New Fiction Society&apos. 'The James Bond Dossier' is Kingsley Amis' critical analysis of the James Bond Novels. This was the first formal literary study of James Bond as a character. It is also a literary analysis of Fleming's style and techniques. Due to Amis' commitment and respect of the series, he was later commissioned as the first continuation novelist for the James Bond novel series. He wrote 'Colonel Sun' under the pseudonym 'Robert Markham&apos. This work analyses the majority of the Bond canon, it only omits 'Octopussy and the Living Daylights' which was published a year later. A wonderful opportunity to own a signed copy of this first critical text on the Bond novels. In the publisher's original cloth binding. With original unclipped dustwrapper. Externally, fine. Dustwrapper is in an excellent condition. Light shelfwear to the extremities of the dustwrapper. Small loss to the head of front flyleaf and to the spine of dustwrapper at the word 'Bond&apos. A few light spots internally to the wrap. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright with just a few light spots to the front free endpaper. Near Fine . Ill.: None. Near Fine/Near Fine.

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Book no.: 739L6

GBP 840,00 ≈ [Appr.: EURO 957.25 US$ 1104.45 | JP¥ 170313]

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: James Bond 007 Bond 007 None

Kingsley Amis

The James Bond Dossier

London, Jonathan Cape, 1965 . First edition. Cloth. A lovely first edition copy of Kingsley Amis's critical study of 007. The first edition of Kingsley Amis's critical analysis of the James Bond novels, in the publisher's original price unclipped dust wrapper.This was the first formal literary study of James Bond as a character, also serving as a literary analysis of Fleming's style and techniques. This work analyses the majority of the Bond canon, it only omitting only 'Octopussy and the Living Daylights', which was published a year later. Due to Amis' commitment and respect of the series, he was later commissioned as the first continuation novelist for the James Bond novel series, writing 'Colonel Sun' under the pseudonym 'Robert Markham&apos. In the publisher's original cloth binding, with price unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, smart, with bumping to back strip head and tail. Light edge wear to head and tail of dust wrapper back strip, with minor marks to rear wrap. Light spotting to fore edge of text block. Internally, firmly bound. Pages clean and bright. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: None. Very Good Indeed/Very Good Indeed.

Rooke Books Professional seller

Book no.: 800F44

GBP 168,00 ≈ [Appr.: EURO 191.5 US$ 220.89 | JP¥ 34063]

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: james bond 007 ian fleming 007 None

Kingsley Amis

The James Bond Dossier

London, Jonathan Cape, 1965 . First edition. Cloth. An excellent first edition of Kingsley Amis's critical study of 007, in the attractive publisher's original dust wrapper. The first edition, first impression of Kingsley Amis's critical analysis of the James Bond novels, in the publisher's original price unclipped dust wrapper.This was the first formal literary study of James Bond as a character, also serving as a literary analysis of Fleming's style and techniques. This work analyses the majority of the Bond canon, only omitting only 'Octopussy and the Living Daylights', which was published a year later. Due to Amis' commitment and respect of the series, he was later commissioned as the first continuation novelist for the James Bond novel series, writing 'Colonel Sun' under the pseudonym 'Robert Markham&apos.With a Foyles label to tail of front pastedown. In the publisher's original cloth binding, with price unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, excellent, with small bump to spine tail. Foyles label to front pastedown. Dust wrapper excellent, with edgewear to back strip head and tail, and tide marks to back strip at dust wrapper reverse. Internally, firmly bound. Pages clean and bright. Near Fine . Ill.: None. Near Fine/Very Good Indeed.

Rooke Books Professional seller

Book no.: 991F45

GBP 190,00 ≈ [Appr.: EURO 216.5 US$ 249.82 | JP¥ 38523]

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: james bond ian fleming casino royale bond ian fleming None

Anonymous

Les Nuits Parisiennes, a L&Apos;Imitation Des Nuits Attiques D&Apos;Aulu-Gelle; Ou Recueil de Traits Singuliers, Anecdotes, Usages Remarqyables, Faits Extraordinaires, Observations Critques, Pensees Philosophiques, &C. &C. Nouvelle Edition Corrigee & Augmentee.

Unknown, Chez Lacombe, 1771. Leather. Two volumes bound in one, this volume is written in the original French, and is influenced by the work of Aulus Gellius. A new edition, corrected and enlarged. Complete in two volumes bound in one. Anonymously published. An imitation of 'Attic Nights' by Aulus Gellius, a work the touches upon grammar, philosophy and history among other subjects. With the title of this work translating into English as 'Parisian Nights' i homage to Gellius' work. In a similar vein to 'Attic Night' this work is comprised of a series of curious and amusing tales. In a full calf binding. Externally rubbed to the head and tail of the spine and also to the extremities, resulting in loss to the backstrip. Evidence of label removal to the front board. Cracks to the tail of the backstrip, with a small amount of loss to the spine label. Front and rear hinges are strained. Internally generally firmly bound, strained in places. Pages are lightly cockled with the occasional spot. Ink inscription and stamp to the title page of each volume bound in this copy. Good . Ill.: None. Good .

Rooke Books Professional seller

Book no.: 629C9

GBP 250,00 ≈ [Appr.: EURO 285 US$ 328.71 | JP¥ 50688]

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: Leather Les Nuits Parisiennes French Les Nuits Parisiennes None