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Braddon (Mary Elizabeth) Lady Audley's Secret, vol.1 first edition, vol.2 & 3 fourth edition, half-titles, occasional light finger-soiling, the odd spot, vol.3 with one gathering becoming loose, 4pp. advertisements at end of vol.2 & 3, bookplate of Thomas Lalor, Gregg to pastedowns, original blind-stamped cloth, spines gilt, spines darkened, spine ends and corners a little bumped, covers rubbed and a little marked, [Sadleir 302; Wolff 660c], 8vo, Tinsley Bros., 1862.⁂ Rare partial first edition of one of the great sensation novels. The majority of early sets are mixed editions with first editions of any of the volumes especially rare. Wolff had no edition earlier than the fifth, and Sadleir had the first edition of vol.3 only, listing the fourth edition as 'Not located'. Braddon's tale of bigamy, murder and duplicity was an enormous success, allowing the author financial independence for the remainder of her life and launching William Tinsley as a major publisher.

James (Henry) The Madonna of the Future and Other Tales, 2 vol., first edition, 2pp. advertisements, brown endpapers, vol.1 half-title with top third trimmed away, ink names to half-titles, occasional light spotting, original blue cloth, slight shelf-lean, spine ends and corners a little bumped, light rubbing and soiling to covers, still a very good set overall, [Edel & Laurence A10a; Sadleir 1278], 1879; and another by the same, 8vo (3)⁂ One of only 500 copies printed.

Collins (Wilkie) The Evil Genius. A Domestic Story, 3 vol., first edition, vol.1 lacking half-title, contents shaken with a few gatherings pulling, some splitting to gutters, light marginal toning and occasional light finger-soiling, ink name to vol.1 title, light browning to half-titles, floral endpapers, original pictorial cloth, spines browned, spine ends and corners bumped, extremities rubbed, [Wolff 1350; not in Sadleir], 8vo, Chatto and Windus, 1886.⁂ A scarce work in the original cloth. Despite the gothic-looking binding of bats in a forest, the plot in fact revolves around the issues of divorce, child custody and women's rights.

Tolstoy (Count Lev Nikolayevich "Leo") War and Peace, 3 vol., vol.1 & 3 fourth edition in English, vol.2 second edition in English, half-titles, occasional light scattered spotting, light browning and ink ownership stamp to half-titles, bookplate to pastedowns, 4pp. advertisements to rear of vol.3, original publisher's decorative boards, slight shelf-lean, spines faded, spine ends and corners bumped, vol.2 spine chipped at head, some splitting to vol.2 joints but holding firm, joints rubbed, [cf. Sadleir 3192 (first English edition)], 8vo, Vizetelly & Co, 18[87]-88.⁂ An early English translation of Tolstoy's epic, often found as a mixed edition and rare in the original boards.

West Country Poet.- Webb (Francis) Poems On Wisdom, On the Deity, On Genius, first edition, half-title, with mezzotint portrait of Webb tipped in as frontispiece (trimmed), Salisbury, E.Easton, 1790; Hymn to the Dryads inscribed to Dr. Turton, 1796; Ode to the Rural Nymphs, written at Comb-Bank inscribed to Lord Frederick Campbell, 1801; Somerset, a Poem, with final blank, 1811, Friendship: a Poem inscribed to a Friend..., presentation copy from the author to Maria Milner inscribed at head of half-title (partly erased by water and lightly stained), etched title vignette, for G.Kearsly..., 1769; An Epistle to the Rev. Mr.Kell with an Ode to Fortitude, Salisbury, E.Easton, 1788, together 6 works in 1 vol., first editions, the second, third and fourth items with engraved head-piece, Hannah Webb's copy with her signature and manuscript list of contents on front free endpaper, some light foxing, mostly to fourth item, slight worming to outer margin of last two works, contemporary calf, spine gilt, rubbed, head of spine worn, 4to⁂ Francis Webb (1735-1815) was born in Taunton and was a non-conformist minister but in 1766 he retired from the ministry and became a writer, including mistakenly giving his support to William Henry Ireland's Shakespearian forgeries being genuine. In 1801 he travelled to Europe as Francis Jackson's secretary at the negotiations for the Treaty of Amiens and acted as an intermediary with the French. He married Hannah Milner of Poole in 1764. Although the fifth item Friendship, a Poem is anonymous and the author unidentified on ESTC and COPAC it is clear that the author must be Webb.All the items are scarce, with between 2 and 4 UK copies of each listed by ESTC or COPAC (all in BL, and mostly Oxford and/or Cambridge).

[Meades (Anna)] The History of Sir William Harrington, 4 vol., second edition, half-titles, advertisement leaf at end of vol.2 and 4, a few leaves working loose, contemporary calf, spines gilt with red and green morocco labels, 2 ends slightly chipped, corners slightly rubbed, 12mo, Printed for John Bell, 1772.⁂ First published in 1771, this epistolary novel, sometimes attributed to Thomas Hull, was written by an admirer of Samuel Richardson, Anna Meades, in 1757. She sent the manuscript to Richardson for publication but he replied that he was a printer not a bookseller and offered to read and advise her about the manuscript. For some reason the book remained unpublished for a number of years, but in 1771 it appeared with a preface acknowledging Richardson's part and with his name - presumably to aid sales - on the title-page. Richardson's family protested that he had nothing to do with the work and in the preface of this second edition the editor states that he could produce Richardson's own notes on his work on behalf of the author (these notes now in the BL). Ownership stamp "Lancaster" and signature of Elizabeth Heinzelmann (dated 1806) on titles.

Hays (Mary) Female Biography; or, Memoirs of Illustrious and Celebrated Women, of all Ages and Countries, 6 vol., first edition, 2ff. advertisements at end of vol.6, some foxing and light browning, contemporary half calf, gilt, a little rubbed, 12mo, Printed for Richard Phillips, 1803.⁂ A good set of this work by the novelist and friend of Mary Wollstonecraft, which is often found in poor condition. Most of her subjects are historical figures, but she does include a number of writers such as Mary Astell, Aphra Behn, Juliana Berners, Hester Chapone, Elizabeth Haywood, Catherine Macaulay and Frances Sheridan.

Yorke (Mrs. R.P.M.) My Master's Secret; or, the Troublesome Stranger, 2 vol., first edition, half-titles, that in vol.2 misbound after title, contemporary pink half vellum over marbled boards, spines gilt but slightly faded, [Garside, Raven & Schoewerling II, p.223; not in Sadleir or Wolff], 12mo, Printed at the Minerva-Press for Lane, Newman, and Co., 1805.⁂ Rare Gothic novel with no copies traced at auction.

Woman novelist living in America.- Wright (Frances) A Few days in Athens, being the translation of a Greek manuscript discovered in Herculaneum, first edition, some spotting and finger-marking, contemporary half calf, gilt spine in compartments, gilt faded, upper joint split, but holding firm, head of spine chipped, corners worn, rubbed, 8vo, 1822. ⁂ Rare first edition of this utopian novel by the Scottish-born social reformer, abolitionist and feminist, which she dedicated to Jeremy Bentham. In 1925 Wright founded the Nashoba Commune in Tennessee, a utopian community which aimed to prepare slaves for their future emancipation. She also campaigned for birth control, sexual freedom for woman and free public education for all over the age of two in state-funded boarding schools.

[Shelley (Mary Wollstonecraft)] Valperga: or, the Life and Adventures of Castruccio, Prince of Lucca, 3 vol., first edition, modern brown half morocco, gilt, t.e.g., [Block p.213; Summers, A Gothic Bibliography p.541], 8vo, Printed for G. and W.B. Whittaker, 1823.⁂ A fine copy of Shelley's second novel.

[Shelley (Mary Wollstonecraft)] The Fortunes of Perkin Warbeck, A Romance, 3 vol., first edition, half-title to vol.1, without the leaf of advertisements at end of vol.3, modern brown half morocco, gilt, t.e.g., vol.3 lower cover with slight abrasion to leather, [Block p.213], 8vo, Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, 1830.⁂ Set in the 15th century Shelley's novel retells "the events surrounding the struggles of Perkin Warbeck, who claimed to be Richard, Duke of York, to wrest the English throne from Henry VII. Although it portrays Henry as ruthless and manipulative and Richard as seemingly idealistic and caring, the novel enunciates Shelley's philosophy that, in the end, there is little difference between men who destroy nations in the interest of their own power." (ODNB).

Shelley (Mary Wollstonecraft) Frankenstein: or, the Modern Prometheus, third edition, additional engraved vignette title and engraved frontispiece (both browned), 2 leaves advertisements at beginning and end, bound with vol.1 of Schiller's The Ghost-Seer as issued, original plum cloth, spine and lower cover faded, 8vo, Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, 1831.⁂ The first illustrated edition, with the frontispiece depicting the monster coming to life. Also includes the author's new preface in which she describes the origin of the story and the famous night of storytelling at the Villa Diodati with her husband, neighbour Byron and his doctor Polidori.

Wordsworth (William) Lyrical Ballads, with Pastoral and other Poems, 2 vol., vol.1 third edition, vol.2 second edition, with author's cut signature "William Wordsworth Rydal Mount 10th Nov.r 1847" pasted to front free endpaper of vol.1, light browning to a few leaves, small stain to A4 of vol.1, engraved bookplate of Lau.ce A.Waldron, attractive 19th century aquamarine straight-grain morocco with gilt rules, g.e., very slightly rubbed, spines a little faded, 8vo, 1802.⁂ The third edition is important because the famous Preface (which first appeared in the second edition and defines Wordsworth's ideas on poetry, effectively serving as an unofficial manifesto of the Romantic movement) is expanded from 40pp. to 64pp. There are also various changes and textual alterations: one of the five Coleridge poems, 'The Dungeon', is omitted as are two of Wordsworth's, 'A Character' and 'Lines written near Richmond'.

[Shelley (Mary Wollstonecraft)] Falkner, 3 vol., first edition, lacking half-titles and advertisement leaf at end of vol.1, modern brown half morocco, gilt, t.e.g., [Block p.213], 8vo, Saunders and Otley, 1837.⁂ Shelley's last novel and the one she considered her best.

Collins (Wilkie) My Miscellanies, 2 vol., first edition, 16pp. publisher's catalogue (dated Nov. 1863) at end of each vol., remains of ?circulating library sticker to front free endpapers, occasional foxing, original green cloth, spines lettered in gilt, [Sadleir 599], 8vo, Sampson Low, Son, & Co., 1863.⁂ A fine set of the first state binding in 'grass-green diagonal-wide-bead-grain cloth' (Sadleir). According to his preface, most of these 'papers' - 'Sketches of Character' and 'Social Grievances' - were originally published in Household Words and in the earlier volumes of All the Year Round.

Eliot (George) Felix Holt the Radical, 3 vol., first edition, half-titles, without advertisements, ink ownership inscription of Lady Emma Caroline Wood to vol.2 half-title and vol.3 title, remains of ink stamp to vol.1 title, very occasional light scattered spotting or foxing, original cloth, covers stamped in blind, spines lettered in gilt without publisher's imprint at foot of spine, very light rubbing to tips of spines and corners but a remarkably sharp and fine set overall, [Sadleir 814; Woolf 2058], 1866; and a 4 vol. 1873 set of Middlemarch in cloth in similar condition, 8vo (7)⁂ A lovely set with an interesting provenance: Lady Emma Caroline Wood (1802-1879) was the mother of the Victorian novelists Lady Emma Barrett-Lennard and Anna C. Steele and also Kitty O'Shea, famous for her affair with Charles Stewart Parnell, leading to his political downfall.

Shand (Alexander Innes) Shooting the Rapids, 3 vol., first edition, presentation copy inscribed by the author on front free endpaper of vol.1 "With the author's love - March. 1872", original cloth, very slight rubbing to spine ends, but overall an excellent copy, [Wolff 6269], 8vo, 1872.⁂ "Action-packed novel of Garibaldi's operations." (Wolff).

Gerard (Emily Jane and Dorothea) Beggar My Neighbour: A Novel, first edition, 3 vol., half-titles, vol. I publisher's advertisement before half-title, vol. III 24pp. publisher's advertisements at end, slight foxing and browning, original decorated green cloth, gilt, vol. III very slight scuff mark on upper cover, [Woolf 2449], Edinburgh and London William Blackwood, 1882 § Smith (Haskett) For God and Humanity, a Romance of Mount Carmel, 3 vol., first edition, half-titles, original gilt pictorial blue cloth, vol. I one corner bumped and creased, [Wolff 5218, listed as an Oliphant item, since it is dedicated to him], Edinburgh and London William Blackwood, 1891 § Shand (Alexander Innes) The Lady Grange, first edition, presentation copy from the author signed with initials, original cloth, gilt, spine slightly faded, 1897; and 6 other novels including 3 three-decker novels, 8vo (22).

Raffalovich (Marc-Andre) Tuberose and Meadowsweet, first edition, presentation copy inscribed by the author on half-title, title in red and black, half-title and final page browned, endpapers foxed, original light green cloth, gilt, t.e.g., others uncut, 8vo, David Bogue, 1885.⁂ A fine copy of the poet's second book of Uranian poetry. Oscar Wilde reviewed the book anonymously in the Pall Mall Gazette: "To say of these poems that they are unhealthy and bring with them the heavy odours of the hothouse is to point out neither their defect nor their merit, but their quality merely." The use of the word "Shame" in the final lines of the poem on Piers Gaveston may be "the first use of the word 'shame' to imply homosexual love." (D'Arch Smith, Love in Earnest, p.249). The presentation inscription reads: "A M. J.J. Weiss homage affectueux de l'auteur."

James (Henry) The Princess Casamassima, 3 vol., first edition, half-titles, advertisement leaf at end of vol.2 and 3, occasional light foxing, hinges cracked, original blue/green cloth, slight split to lower joint of vol.2 and 3, trace of labels having been removed from upper covers, [Edel & Laurence A29; Sadleir 1282; Wolff 3576], 8vo, London & New York, Macmillan and Co., 1886.⁂ Despite the faults mentioned, a very good copy of the first of James' 'political novels', of which 750 copies were printed in the first edition.

Flaubert (Gustave) Madame Bovary, translated by Eleanor Marx-Aveling, first English edition, frontispiece and 5 plates, numerous engraved ornaments and initials, 2pp. of advertisements before half-title, without the 32pp. publisher's catalogue at end as often, p. 179 very small tear in margin, original gilt-decorated green cloth, gilt spine, edges foxed, 8vo, a very fine copy, London, Vizetelly & Co., 1886.⁂ First English edition of Flaubert's first novel with the translation by Karl Marx's daughter.

Tolstoy (Count Lev Nikolayevich "Leo") Anna Karenina, first English edition, publisher's advertisements at front and back, contemporary pencil ownership inscription to half-title, spotting to endpapers, hinges pulling, black endpapers, rear free endpaper detached, original cloth, stamped in black and red, worn and bumped, spine with crease running full length and splits at head and foot, cocking, [Woolf 6729], Vizetelly & Co., 1887; and a copy of the Walter Scott edition, 8vo (2) ⁂First published in book form in Moscow in 1878, and first in English in 1886 by Crowell & Co. of New York. The Walter Scott edition reproduces the text of the Crowell edition.

History of Jack and the Bean-Stalk (The), first separate printing, engraved hand-coloured frontispiece and 2 plates, 3pp. advertisements, closely trimmed with loss to signatures, B.Tabart, 1807 bound with The Life and Adventures of Tom Tackle, of London, Mariner, 3 engraved plates, closely trimmed at fore-margin, occasionally affecting text, Robert Bassam, 1798 and Richard Coeur de Lion, an Historical Tale, 3 hand-coloured engraved plates, closely shaved at head, occasionally touching headlines, Tabart, 1805 and Leigh (Edward) The History of the Twelve Caesars, woodcut frontispiece and several illustrations, occasional light damp-staining, closely shaved at head, occasionally touching headlines, Glasgow, 1784, together 4 works in 1 vol., occasional foxing or browning, contemporary calf, upper cover becoming loose, rubbed and worn, 12mo.⁂ A good group of rare children's works most with only a handful of copies recorded. Though believed to be over 4,000 years-old, the tale of Jack and the Beanstalk first appeared in print as The Story of Jack Spriggins and the Enchanted Bean in the 1734 second edition of Round About Our Coal-Fire, this 1807 edition is the first separate appearance of the story and the first time it was given the now-familiar title.

Raffalovich (Marc-Andre) A Willing Exile. A Novel, 2 vol. in 1, first edition, half-titles, without the 16pp. publisher's catalogue at end of vol.2, ink stamp and cancelled stamp of British Red Cross Library to front pastedown, later dark green half morocco, gilt, t.e.g., [Wolff 5686], 8vo, F.V. White & Co., 1890.⁂ Exceedingly rare first novel by the partner of John Gray (friend of Oscar Wilde and supposedly the basis for Dorian Gray). Copac lists NLS, BL and Bodleian copies; not in NUC.

Pre-Raphaelite Sammelband.- O'Shaughnessy (Arthur).- [Lytton (Edward George Earle Bulwer)] "P:isistratus Caxton." The Boatman, first edition, 16pp., Edinburgh & London, 1864 § Marston (Westland) The Death-Ride: A Tale of the Light Brigade, first edition, 8pp., 1855 § Marzials (Theo.) Passionate Dowsabella. (A Pastoral), first edition, presentation copy inscribed by the author to Arthur O'Shaughnessy, "(Provisionally Printed)", 1872; another copy, uninscribed; and 30 other pamphlets, offprints and extracts from Reviews together in 1 vol., one duplicate, one incomplete, some presentation copies, others with autograph corrections, disbound, preserved in modern drop-back box, 8vo, 1855-74.⁂ An exceptional collection of Pre-Raphaelite papers from the library of Arthur O'Shaughnessy, many rare, some excessively so. Authors include A.C. Swinburne, Franz Hueffer (Ford Madox Ford's father), H. Buxton Forman, R.H. Horne, Edmund Gosse and Ford Madox Brown. A full list is available from the department.

NO RESERVE Wilde (Oscar) A House of Pomegranates, first edition, [one of 1000 copies], pictorial title, 4 plates and numerous illustrations and decorations in text by Charles Ricketts and Charles Shannon, light browning to endpapers, joints tender, glue marking to rear endpaper, original pictorial cloth blocked in gilt and red designed by Ricketts, a little browned, spine ends and corners a little bumped. chip and repair to upper joint, spot to upper cover, uncut, preserved in custom drop-back box, [Mason 347], small 4to, 1891.

Beardsley (Aubrey).- Malory (Sir Thomas) The Birth, Life and Acts of King Arthur, 2 vol. in original 12 parts, one of 1500 copies, decorations and illustrations by Aubrey Beardsley, original pictorial printed wrappers, a few chips and tears but generally in excellent condition, preserved in 2 cloth boxes with the gilt design of the original issues to upper covers and spines, [Lasner 22], 4to, 1893.⁂ Beardsley's first major commission, the genesis of which took place when the young artist met the publisher J.M. Dent who was looking for someone to illustrate an edition of Morte d'Arthur. On seeing Beardsley's trial drawing 'The Achieving of the Sangreal', described by Weintraub as "his first masterpiece", the publisher was reputedly rendered speechless by its quality. Duly commissioned, Beardsley produced a body of work which took the medievalism of the Pre-Raphaelites and married it to his own bizarre imagination and Japanese-influenced style, making his reputation. They are among the most stunning illustrations he ever produced.

Wilde (Oscar) Salome: Drame en un Acte, first edition, [one of 600 copies], half-title, title vignette (repeated on colophon) by Felicien Rops, original upper wrapper bound in at end, contemporary dark purple crushed morocco by Zaehnsdorf, lettered in gilt, g.e., inner gilt dentelles, spine and lower cover slightly faded, [Mason 348; Nelson 1893.3], 8vo, Paris & London, 1893.⁂ Salome was first published in France as a result of the Lord Chamberlain's refusal to allow the planned production with Sarah Bernhardt in the title role. The English version with the Beardsley illustrations was published the following year. Bookplate of C.S. Ascherson and ownership inscription of Arthur H. Walsh dated Feb. 1893.

Wilde (Oscar) Salome: Drame en un Acte, first edition, [one of 600 copies], half-title, title vignette (repeated on colophon) by Felicien Rops, uncut in original purple wrappers, faded and slightly creased, spine darkened and ends slightly chipped, 2 small holes piercing lower cover and last several leaves, [Mason 348; Nelson 1893.3], 8vo, Paris & London, 1893.

Coleridge (Samuel Taylor) Christabel: Kubla Khan, a Vision; The Pains of Sleep, first edition, lacking half-title and fly-titles to all but Christabel Part II and 4pp. advertisements at end, manuscript pencil annotation to one leaf, occasional light spotting, modern calf-backed marbled boards, spine gilt with red calf label, [Wise 32], 8vo, 1816.

Beardsley (Aubrey).- Symons (Arthur, editor) The Savoy: An Illustrated Quarterly, 8 vol., first edition, plates and illustrations by Beardsley, Sickert, Rothenstein, Beerbohm, Rossetti, Shannon etc., loosely inserted Christmas card in volume 1 and publisher's slip in vol.7, some foxing, vol.1 and 2 in original pink pictorial boards, the rest in original green pictorial wrappers, some light rubbing, soiling and fraying, but generally very good, preserved in 3 modern cloth chemises and slip-cases, [Lasner 103; Nelson 1896 1A], 4to, Leonard Smithers, January-December, 1896.⁂ An excellent set of what Holbrook Jackson called "the most satisfying achievement of 'fin de siecle' journalism in England." The arrest of Oscar Wilde and the dismissal of Aubrey Beardsley as the art editor of The Yellow Book created difficulties for the artists and writers of the 1890s. Smithers's enterprise was therefore most timely. However, employing Beardsley was not without its problems - his cover illustration for no.1 having to be suppressed, for example, as it depicted a young boy urinating on The Yellow Book. Symons' editorship was crucial in recruiting writers such as Yeats, Conrad, Shaw, Verlaine, Ernest Dowson and John Gray.

Beardsley (Aubrey).- O'Sullivan (Vincent) The Houses of Sin, first edition, one of 400 copies, slight stain to some upper margins, endpapers browned, original parchment with gilt design by Beardsley, a little soiled, [Lasner 120; Nelson 1897.10], Leonard Smithers, 1897; A Book of Bargains, first edition, frontispiece by Beardsley, original maroon buckram, a little soiled, one corner bumped, [Lasner 109; Nelson 331], Leonard Smithers, 1896, 8vo (2)⁂ Beardsley referred to his design for the covers of the first book as "very pretty". The second item is a collection of macabre short stories in which Beardsley's frontispiece of Madame Jahn is one of his most successful drawings, the heavier pen work on the face and table contrasting with the dress which is outlined in dots.

Wilde (Oscar) The Ballad of Reading Gaol by C.3.3., first edition, one of 800 copies on hand-made paper, endpapers lightly browned, original cream and ochre cloth, soiled, [Mason 371], 8vo, Leonard Smithers, 1898.⁂ A very good copy of Wilde's poetic masterpiece - in Richard Ellman, Wilde's biographer's words, "once read never forgotten." Ownership inscription of C.S. Ascherson, dated March 1898 on front pastedown.

Beardsley (Aubrey) Under the Hill, first edition, signed presentation from the publisher John Lane to Robert Ross with ink inscription on front free endpaper, photogravure frontispiece, plates by Beardsley, tissue guards, 4pp. advertisements at end, slightly browned, original decorated blue cloth, gilt, spine a little dulled, corners bumped, t.e.g., others uncut, sm. 4to, John Lane, 1904. ⁂ Robert Ross (1869-1918), journalist and gallery owner; friend and literary executor of Oscar Wilde. John Lane (1854-1925), publisher.

Wilde (Oscar) De Profundis, first edition, one of 200 copies on handmade paper, half-title, original white buckram, lettered and decorated in gilt to designs by Charles Ricketts, t.e.g., others uncut, very slight soiling but generally near fine, [Mason 389], 8vo, 1905.

Wilde (Oscar) [Works], 14 vol., first collected edition, one of 80 sets on Japanese vellum, occasional light spotting, original limp vellum, gilt design by Charles Ricketts, yapp edges, t.e.g., others uncut, crack along spine of Importance of being Earnest, small bump to foot of spine of Poems, but overall an excellent, bright set, [Mason 421, 424, 426, 428, 430, 432, 434, 436, 438, 440, 442, 444, 446 and 448], 8vo, Methuen & Co., 1908.⁂ A fine set of this first collected edition in its most desirable format, on Japanese vellum. "The text is taken in most instances from the last editions issued under the superintendence of the author. In some cases the volumes contain additional matter which had not previously been reprinted, while some of the volumes contain matter here published for the first time." (Mason). Complete sets in the original binding and in such excellent condition seldom appear on the market.

Ricketts (Charles).- Bottomley (Gordon) A Vision of Giorgione: Three Variations on a Venetian Theme, letter C of 10 hors commerce copies signed by the author, from an edition limited to 60, 1922; Poems of Thirty Years, letter D of 12 copies for presentation signed by the author, from an edition limited to 87, frontispiece portrait after Charles Shannon, 1925, both signed presentation copies from the author inscribed "To Charles Ricketts and Charles Shannon, from their affectionate Gordon Bottomleey. Silverdale, Christmas 1922" on front free endpapers (second inscription varies slightly), some light foxing, book-label of John Lowe, original cream decorated cloth, gilt, designed by Charles Ricketts (not uniform), t.e.g., others uncut, some very light soiling, slight cockling to lower edge of upper cover of the first, very good copies preserved together in modern morocco-backed-marbled board drop-back box by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, 4to (2)

Banned book.- Smith (Wallace) Bessie Cotter, first English edition, scattered spotting to endpapers, pencil inscription to front free endpaper, original cloth, extremities a little rubbed, dust-jacket by Youngman Carter, minor rubbing and chipping to spine ends and corners, 2 short closed tears to foot of upper panel, light rubbing to extremities, still an excellent example of a rare jacket, 8vo, 1935.⁂ Wallace Smith's novel about the life of a prostitute on the streets of Chicago was deemed indecent by the UK censor, leading to its withdrawal and a fine for the publisher. Copies of this edition are therefore rare, especially so in the wonderfully atmospheric Carter dust-jacket.

Burgess (Anthony) A Clockwork Orange, first edition, original boards, fine, first issue dust-jacket with wide flaps and priced at 16s., very light fading to spine, light chipping and rubbing to head of spine and corners, very short closed tears to head of joints, small patch of soiling to foot of upper panel, still an excellent example overall, 8vo, 1962.⁂ A bright and sharp copy of Burgess' masterpiece, a cornerstone of 20th century British fiction.

Conrad (Joseph) Youth: a Narrative and Two Other Stories, first edition, very occasional scattered spotting, 32pp. advertisements dated 11/02, original cloth, light browning to spine, spine ends a little bumped and frayed, small patch of discolouration to upper cover, but a sharp and excellent example overall, 8vo, 1902.⁂ An excellent example of Conrad's most important short story collection, including Heart of Darkness, one of the novellas of the 20th century.

Doyle (Sir Arthur Conan) The Land of Mist, first edition, very light scattered spotting, 1 p. advertisement for Psychic Books by Doyle, 24pp publisher's catalogue for spring 1926 at rear, advertisement for Whipped Cream by Geoffrey Moss loosely inserted, original cloth, light rubbing to tips of spine and corners, else fine, dust-jacket, very minor rubbing and chipping to spine ends and corners, neatly repaired tear to foot of spine, some light rubbing and surface soiling to extremities but an extraordinarily sharp, near-fine example overall, preserved in custom folding chemise and morocco slip-case, [Green & Gibson A45a], 8vo, 1926.⁂ A superb copy of the third adventure featuring Professor Challenger, Lord John Roxton and the journalist Edward Malone in which they investigate the existence of life after death.

Doyle (Sir Arthur Conan) The Maracot Deep and Other Stories, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to W.B. Maxwell "To W.B.M. A poor exchange against Mr. Raikes (who makes horribly for self psycho-analysis), but one of the four may find a mark A Conan Doyle." to title, 10pp. advertisements at rear, very light browning to half-title, 4ff. advertisements loosely inserted, including 2 for The Sherlock Holmes Long Stories, original cloth, very light fading to spine, dust-jacket, minor chipping to spine ends and corners, small chip to head of upper panel, a few very short closed tears and some creasing to head and foot, light surface soiling, but an excellent example overall, preserved in custom morocco-backed drop-back box, [Green & Gibson A47a], 8vo, 1929.⁂ A lovely copy of this Doyle science fiction collection with an excellent inscription. The Maracot Deep and Other Stories includes two Professor Challenger adventures, Professor Maracot's discovery of the lost city of Atlantis and a cricketing short story based on Doyle's own time at the wicket. The inscription is to William Babington Maxwell (1866-1938), author and playwright who wrote the 1929 work Himself and Mr. Raikes which features a young man constantly at conflict with his own, darker side, portrayed as a separate character.

Fleming (Ian) Live and Let Die, first edition, ink ownership inscription to title, original boards, second state dust-jacket with artist's credit centred between the blurb and foot of the flap, price-clipped, very light toning to spine, lower panel a little spotted and browned, minor rubbing and chipping to spine ends and corners, very short closed tear to head of upper panel, light creasing to head, still in effect an excellent example, 8vo, 1954.

Fleming (Ian) Dr. No, first edition, the odd spot to text, scattered spotting to endpapers, original second state boards with silhouette, spine ends a little bumped, dust-jacket, spine ends and corners a little chipped, spine browned, spine chipped at foot, tape staining to head, ink mark to upper flap, still a very good example overall, 8vo, 1958.

Fleming (Ian) Goldfinger, first edition, original boards stamped in gilt and blind, dust-jacket, light browning to spine, spine ends and corners a little chipped, light creasing to head, light surface soiling to lower panel, an excellent copy overall, 8vo, 1959.

Fleming (Ian) For Your Eyes Only, first edition, ink ownership inscription to endpaper, original boards, spine lettered in gilt, dust-jacket, minor chipping to spine ends and corners, light creasing to head and rubbing to extremities, but an unusually bright example without any of the usual fading to spine, 8vo, 1960.

Fleming (Ian) Thunderball, first edition, original boards, fine, dust-jacket, very light rubbing to tips of spine and corners, a fine copy, 8vo, 1961.

Fleming (Ian) The Spy Who Loved Me, first edition, with printing flaw to title, original boards, fine, dust-jacket, tape staining to flaps, minor creasing to head and foot, else fine, 8vo, 1962.

Greene (Graham) The Third Man Man and the Fallen Idol, first edition, light browning to half-title margins, original boards, fine, dust-jacket, neat and sympathetic repairs and restorations to head and foot, in effect a near-fine example, 8vo, 1950.

Heller (Joseph) Catch-22, first English edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "To Sheelagh Justin: with sincere, and humorous, good wishes and with the hope you enjoy this. Joseph Heller. October 21, 1962. Cheltenham Festival of Literature" to front free endpaper and "Yossarian still lives! Joseph Heller" to rear endpaper, A.L.s. from the author dated 1993 discussing the festival and the inscribing of this copy, associated material loosely inserted, bookplate of Sheelagh Hancox, original boards, second issue dust-jacket (as often), spine slightly browned, spine ends and corners with minor rubbing and chipping, spotting to panels, 8vo, 1962.⁂ A lovely copy with two excellent inscriptions from the author, copies of this work with contemporary inscriptions are rare. The recipient of the first inscription, Sheelagh Hancox (née Justin), the wife of Alan Hancox, book dealer, collector and director of the Cheltenham Literature Festival. The inscription to the rear endpaper is later and was likely added during Heller's appearance at the talk Yossarian Lives! in 1993, again during the Cheltenham Literature Festival, the tickets for which are loosely inserted.

Milne (A. A.) When We Were Very Young, first edition, second issue with roman numerals 'ix' and 'x' to contents pp., illustrations by E.H. Shepard, browning to endpapers, ink ownership inscription to pastedown, original pictorial cloth, gilt, slight shelf-lean, t.e.g., dust-jacket, spine browned, spine ends and corners chipped, upper joint with short splits to head and foot, panels a little browned and soiled, 8vo, 1924.

Obama (Barack) Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance, first edition, first issue, bookplate signed by the author to half-title, original cloth-backed boards, dust-jacket, very light creasing to head, a fine copy otherwise, 8vo, New York, 1995.⁂ Barack Obama's first memoir, published when he was only 34 and still practicing civil rights law in Chicago.

O'Hara (Frank) A City Winter and other Poems, number 28 of 130 copies on 'French Arches paper', and with 2 plates on 'Japanese Shogun paper', in an edition of 150 copies, 2 monochrome full-page illustrations by Larry Rivers, loose in original plain white wrappers, lightly marked, 8vo, New York, Editions of the Tibor de Nagy Gallery, 1951.⁂ Scarce copy of the first edition of the author's first book. O'Hara was a member of the New York School of Poets. He worked at MoMA, where he met and befriended Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning, amongst others. This work was also the first in this series to be issued by the Tibor de Nagy Gallery.

Orwell (George) Nineteen Eighty-Four, first edition, spotting to endpapers and fore-edge, original cloth, spine faded, damp-staining and mottling, dust-jacket, spine faded, spine ends and corners chipped with small portion of loss to head of spine effecting first word of title, patches of damp-staining to spine and lower panel, a few short closed tears and creasing to head and foot, vertical crease to spine, rubbed, 8vo, 1949.

Rowling (J.K.) Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, first edition, first printing, [one of 500 copies], usual light browning to text margins, ex-library copy with ink stamp to title verso and front free endpaper with barcode sticker and thin line of abrasion, but without any other markings, original pictorial boards, spine ends and corners bumped, laminate peeling, chipping to joints, extremities a little rubbed and chipped, still a very good, bright copy, preserved in a fine example of a later dust-jacket, 8vo, 1997.⁂ The author's first book and the first in the Harry Potter series, a modern cornerstone of children's literature. Rare in any condition and a far better ex-library copy than usually encountered.

Summers (Montague, editor) The Supernatural Omnibus, first edition, occasional scattered spotting to head, ink name to front free endpaper, original cloth, spine slightly faded, first state dust-jacket, browning to spine, minor chipping to spine ends and corners, upper panel with light browning and short closed tear to head, an excellent example overall, [Tymn 2-94], 8vo, 1931.⁂ Including stories by Sheridan Le Fanu, Percival Landon, Frederick Marrayat and Vernon Lee. Rare in the dust-jacket.

Tolkien (J.R.R.).- Macktail (J.W.) Latin Literature, fifth edition, Tolkien's schoolboy copy with inscriptions 'J.R.R. Tolkien, Class I K.E.H.S, October 1st 1907' and below ''Oct. 1909, J.R.R.Tolkien' in a more cursive hand to endpaper, both inscriptions crossed through in biro by later owner, ink name of later owner in biro to head of page, original cloth, spine faded, wear to head of spine and upper corner, 8vo, 1906.⁂ A standard schoolboy's Latin textbook with a wonderful provenance. Tolkien grew up in Edgbaston, Birmingham and attended King Edward's School. The dates of the inscriptions are of particular interest as these mark the flowering of Tolkien's interest in language; during these years he would begin the invention of his first constructed languages, based largely on his studies of Anglo-Saxon and Latin.

Tolkien (J.R.R.) The Hobbit, or There and Back Again, first edition, first impression, frontispiece, one plate and 8 illustrations, including 7 full-page, map endpapers printed in red and black, all by the author, 2pp. advertisements, original pictorial cloth, shelf-lean, spine ends chipped with small portion of loss to foot of spine affecting foot of imprint, corners bumped, wear to lower edge of covers, scattered marking and light rubbing, 8vo, 1937.

Wyndham (John) The Day of the Triffids, first edition, original cloth, very short split to foot of spine, else fine, dust-jacket, minor skilful repairs and restorations to spine ends and corners, a near-fine copy otherwise, 8vo, 1951.⁂ An superb copy of Wyndham's enormously influential sci-fi thriller.

China.- Daniell (Thomas and William) A Picturesque Voyage to India, by the way of China, first edition, 50 fine hand-coloured aquatint plates with grey wash border, all on thick paper, text and plates mounted on stubs, some light browning or soiling, modern red morocco, a little spotted and marked, one or two small gouges to lower cover, spine faded, [Abbey Travel 516; Tooley 173], a very good copy, oblong folio, bound as folio, 1810.⁂ The Daniells left England in April 1785 on board the Indiaman Atlas, arriving in Whampoa, China, in August. Having spent several months in China they then sailed on to Calcutta. Includes views of Madeira, the Cape of Good Hope, Java, Macao and Canton with roughly half the plates depicting China (views, costumes, interiors etc.).