The Evergreen: Being a Collection of Scots poems wrote by the Ingenious before 1600.
A collection of Scottish poems. Broken into two volumes. Published in Edinburgh by Allan Ramsay. Written for Alexander Donaldson, at Pope’s Head. Contains a glossary of terms and translations from the ancient Scottish language. Bookplate of Thomas Gaisford on front pastedown.
Allan Ramsay
Printed for Alexander Donaldson at Pope's Head
The Campaign, a Poem to His Grace the Duke of Marlborough
Gold ink. Leather and cloth bound. Large print. Marble design on inside covers. Information about the book in front: "First edition. This poem made Addison’s reputation. It was addressed to Marlborough, and London went wild over the simile of the angel, in which the famous general was described as one who 'rides in the whirlwind, and directs the storm'. The year before he had shattered the French at the battle of Blenheim."
Joseph Addison
London. Printed for J. Tonson
1705
Antony and Cleopatra
William Shakespeare's famous tragic play about the relationship between Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Red leather bound book with gold leaf image and title on the spine. First edition printed June 1986. Second edition, February 1897. Ninth edition, June 1905. Published by J.M. Dent and Co Aldine House W.C. MCMV. Preface and glossary by Israel Gollancz. Preface includes information about the first publications of the play, and on the inspiration for the plot and the many plays that have been influenced by the life of Cleopatra. The first pages include a quote from Coleridge on his praise for the play.
William Shakespeare
J.M. Dent and Co.
1905
Sartor Resartus
White cover with pink and green floral design. Silver pattern to the left. Title on spine in silver ink. Complete edition with appendix, summary, and index. Published by Donohue, Henneberry and Co. The book tells the story of fictional German philosopher Diogenes Teufelsdröckh. Works to parody Hegel and other philosophers, and to reveal what Carlyle believes to be are truths.
Thomas Carlyle
Donohue, Henneberry and Co.
1895
The Cocktail Party
This first edition was published by Faber and Faber in 1949. Eliot wrote the play in 1948, which is based primarily on Alcestis, by the ancient greek playwright Euripides. It features a troubled married couple, and examines themes about the nature of human existence. The play contains elements of absurdism as well.
T.S. Eliot
Faber and Faber
1949
An Enquiry into the Present State of Polite Learning
This edition is packaged in a small brown box. Inside cover contains purchase information: “Excellent Copy with the Half-Title: 139 Goldsmith, Oliver. Enquiry into the Present State of Polite Learning in Europe. Large Title Vignette. 8vo, cont. Calf, leather label. London, 1759.
First Edition, with the half-title. Some margins slightly dampstained, otherwise a fine copy in contemporary binding. Enclosed in cloth folding-case. Worn leather with “State of P. Learning” in Gold on the spine. Contents include: Introduction, chapters on “the decline of ancient learning,” “A view of the obscure ages,” “A parallel between ancient and modern learning,” “On the present state of polite learning in Italy,” “Concerning the decline of ancient and modern learning,” “The polite learning of England and France incapable of comparison,” “The present state of polite learning in France,” “Of learning in Great Britain,” “Of the Encouragement of learning,” “Of Criticism,” “Of the Stage,” “Of Universities”. Photo on inside first page depicts the building of a coliseum, reflecting a connection between ancient greeks and education.
Oliver Goldsmith
1759
The Complaint, or Night Thoughts on Life and Death
Published in 1743 by Edward Young. Printed by R. Dodsley, sold by M. Cooper. Thick, leather-bound book. Each part has special title page and separate paging. Sale information on inside cover reads: "First edition of each part, excepting Part One which is the second or First Quarto Edition." This is a long poem, in which the author writes about life, death, and existence in a series of "nights". This is one of two editions of this book that can be found in the archives. The other is bound in green leather with gold designs.<br /><br /><a title="Wikipedia " href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night-Thoughts">Wikipedia article</a>
1743
Pride and Prejudice
The covers are moss green with a gold floral design around the title. The book is split into two volumes. The second volume begins with the scene of Darcy’s proclamation of love to Elizabeth. Part of a collection of Austen’s works. Each contains a picture on the first page. For the first volume, this is an image of Elizabeth, Darcy, and another man. The caption reads: “Mr Darcy requested to be allowed the honor of her hand. Vol 1 P. 40." The scene refers to Darcy’s request for Elizabeth to dance with him. In the second volume, the picture is of Darcy and Elizabeth walking outside. The caption reads: “They now walked on in silence, each of them in deep thought. Vol II P. 98”. Notes on the inside cover have lists of page numbers with the titles: “Motive,” “Character,” “Incident,” and “Style”. The books were published by Little, Brown in 1898 and 1892.
Copyright, 1892, By Roberts Brothers. University Press: John Wilson and Son, Cambridge, USA.
Jane Austen
University Press, John Wilson and Son
1892
East of Eden
First edition, published by Viking Press in September 1952. Steinbeck’s famous tale describes two families living in the Salinas Valley--the Hamiltons and the Trasks. The Hamiltons are based on Steinbeck’s own family history. Steinbeck considers the work his “magnum opus”. The cover features a picture of the Salinas Valley. The book originally sold for $4.50.
John Steinbeck
Viking Press
1952
The Importance of Being Earnest
First edition of Oscar Wilde's famous comedy. Full title on the third page: “<em>The Importance of Being Earnest:</em> A Trivial Comedy for Serious People by The Author of Lady Windermere’s Fan”. Published by Leonard Smithers and Co. in London, December 1898. (London : Chiswick Press, Charles Whittingham and Co., Tooks Court, Chancery Lane). Light pink cover with gold leaf designs imprinted on the front. Title and publisher printed on the spine. <br /><br />A small envelope addressed to “Miss Grace Hawthorne” in London is contained on the inside cover. One page reveals that “One thousand copies of this edition have been printed, of which this is No. 321”. <br /><br />Information about the performance of the play at London’s St. James’ Theatre is included in the opening pages.
Oscar Wilde
Leonard Smithers and Co.