Munich: Bremer Presse, 1929. Hardcover. Number 177 of 250 copies printed in Germany at the Bremer Presse for Random House. An additional 280 copies were printed for Bremer Presse subscribers. This handsome book provides an excellent example of the fine printing done at the Bremer Presse. The press produced books from 1911 to 1934, with a break during World War I. Stylistically influenced by the English Doves Press, the press was a strong influence on German book art. Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay, "Nature" was written in 1836. In the essay Emerson put forth the foundation of transcendentalism, a belief system that espouses a nontraditional appreciation of nature. Transcendentalism suggests that the divine, or God, suffuses nature, and suggests that reality can be understood by studying nature. Bound in grey, white, and red marbled paper covered boards with cream vellum spine titled in gilt. Minor browning to spine and minor wear to edges, corners, and joints. Top edge gilt, with deckled fore-edge and bottom edge. Letterpress printed on Zanders handmade paper in black and red, with red title and initials designed by Anna Simons. Clean and bright overall with inscription from previous owner in pen to front free endpaper dated 1929. 86 pages. PRI/010923. Near Fine. More

Newtown, Wales: Gwasg Gregynog, 1998. Hardcover. Number 277 of 350 copies signed by the illustrator. Pryderi was the only character to appear in the tales known as The Four Branches of the Mabinogi, the chief glory of Welsh medieval prose literature. Pryderi provided the theme taken by Llewelyn Wyn Griffith in a series of radio talks in 1943. In 1962, The Adventures of Pryderi by Griffith was published by the University of Wales Press. Kyffin Williams, one of the foremost Welsh artists of the 20th century, produced a set of illustrations to accompany the text but they were presented to Gwasg Gregynog and published here for the first time. Kyffin Williams designed this book as well as creating the eight striking linocut illustrations. Bound at Gregynog in beige linen cloth with a gray linocut affixed to the front cover and black titling to spine. Printed in Monotype Baskerville type on Velin Arches pure cotton mould-made paper. In fine condition. Measures 8.25 x 13.25 inches. 38 [+1] pages. PRI/121422. Fine. More

Essex, UK: [1896]. Three nice handwritten letters from Coulson Kernahan related to publishing matters. Kernahan (1858-1943) was a prolific writer and editor, reading and editing submissions for publisher Ward, Lock & Co. among other efforts. He was their copy editor for Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray. Two of the three letters are dated 1896 and the third undated one pertains to content in one of the previous letters. All were sent on printed letterhead “Thrums,” Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. The first two-page letter is addressed to Mr. Tickell. In it Kernahan apologizes for taking so long in getting back to him and then turns down an invitation to write a story for a publication he refers to as “BW.” He also writes that one of his works, “A Literary Gent,” is a Ward Lock copyright but says they would probably agree to have it reprinted for “some small sum.” He goes on to talk about manuscripts submitted [does not say where] for a 200 pound prize. The second one-page letter is sent to “Dear Sirs.” Kernahan writes to say that he had expected three manuscripts to be read for his proposed honorarium of 9 pounds, or 3 pounds each. To his surprise he received seven manuscripts and states that the honorarium must be adjusted but instead of asking for 21 pounds, states he would be satisfied with 15 pounds. The third letter of 1.5 pages is a cover letter to a report that he is sending offering his opinions of the stories reviewed. He says that he reads manuscripts for possible publication with two considerations in mind. The first is the literary quality of the work, and the second is for the potential popularity of the piece - ”to put myself, so to speak in the place of the public which buys and enjoys books which the literary [part of word obscured] journals condemn.” The letters are quite legible despite soiling and darkening to paper. The letters appear to have been previously affixed to something, two with glue on the back and one by tape to the left margins, with some remnants still attached. Light creases where folded. 7 x 9 inches. AUTO/113016. Very Good -. More

New York: Harper and Brothers, 1847. Hardcover. First American Edition of Melville's second novel. This story is based on Melville's adventures and experiences during his years at sea between 1839-1844. It has been professionally rebacked in handsome dark green leather with gilt titling and elaborate ornaments to spine. The front cover features a gilt ship and embossed decoration. Wear to cloth on edges and corners. Original marbled endpapers. Foxing throughout, but heaviest to first several pages. With frontis map and text illustration. A nice copy of this literary landmark. 389 pages plus two sets of advertisements. LIT/091919. Very Good. More

London: Richard Bentley, 1832. Hardcover. A presention copy from the author, with inscription to the top of the title page in Volume II: "H. Hole Esq. with the author's best regards." Thomas Roscoe (1791 - 1871) was an English translator and also a novelist who enjoyed studying the work by other European novelists. In the preface he writes: "In the following series of national novels, connected with the secondary class of prose fiction so abounding in Spanish literature, it has been the humble endeavour of the translator, upon a similar plan with the Italian and the German specimens, to convey to the English reader some idea of its rise and progress, as well as of the peculiar manners, customs, modes of thinking at different periods, as exhibited in this form of composition." Includes Don Juan Manuel, Mendoza, Mateo Aleman, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Matias de los Reyes, Don Christoval Lozano, Luis Veliz de Guavara, Isidro de Robles, Alonzo del Castillo Salorzano, Don Francisco de Quevedo Villegas, Doctor don Juan Perez de Montalvan, Antionio de Eslava, and Donna Maria de Zayas I Soto Mayor. Each author or tale is introduced by the compiler, Thomas Roscoe. All volumes are bound in matching three quarter tan leather over pink and brown marbled paper covered boards. Lacks title and volume labels. Gilt decoration to spine compartments. Wear to edges of boards, rubbing to boards and hinges. Large chip to leather on foot of spine of Volume II. A few chips to leather on boards. The front hinge of Volume I is starting. Marbled endpapers and full marbled edges. Occasional spots of foxing to interiors, but clean and bright overall. A worn, but still reasonably attractive set. Volume I: 360 pages; Volume II: 341 pages; Volume III: 321 pages. LIT/110922. Very Good. More

London: Smith, Elder, 1888. Hardcover. 8vo. FIRST EDITION. SIGNED LETTER. Includes a one and a half page handwritten and signed letter by Ward to her publisher. Also features the bookplate of accomplished Danish actor, Jean Hersholt (1886 - 1956), which is pasted down to the front end page of Volume I. Hersholt, perhaps best known for his role as Shirley Temple’s grandfather in Heidi (1937), appeared in over one hundred films, directed several films, won a Golden Globe Award, and was nominated for an Academy Award. He was also an eminent collector of books by Hans Christian Andersen and translated many of Andersen’s fairy tales into English. These were later published in six volumes and are still considered to be one of the best English translations. Born in Australia, British author Mary Augusta Ward (1851 - 1920) published under her married name, Mrs. Humphry Ward. She was passionate about improving education for the poor, and supported opening Oxford University to women. She helped form the Association for the Education of Women in 1878; however, she was also an anti-suffragette and served as the founding president of the Women's National Anti-Suffragette League in the early 1900s. A very good triple decker set in the original blue cloth with gilt titles to spines and black titles to front boards. There is a small closed tear along the exterior front joint of Volumes I.and II All volumes have minor wear and a few chips to the book cloth along the corners, edges, and hinges. Bumping to corners, minor rubbing to boards, and wear to joints. The interiors remain very clean overall. There are floral patterned end pages in first two volumes and variant chocolate colored end pages in Volume III. The set is housed in an attractive dark green half-morocco slipcase with maroon and gilt leather labels to spine. There are a few minor scuff marks to the case and a closed tear to the hinge of the tri-fold sleeve which fits within. Volume I has 371 pages; Volume II has 374 pages plus ads; Volume III has 411 pages. LIT/031908. Very good. More