London: Cassell and Co., and John Lane The Bodley Head, 1934. Hardcover. First Edition. An interesting and unusual presentation copy from the editor to Clementine Churchill, wife of Winston: "To Mrs. Churchill, these poems from the day when Fanny's First Play was written; and in memory of the pleasure of seeing it in her company. August 11, 1935 Desmond Flower." The inscription makes reference to Fanny's First Play, written anonymously in 1911 by G. Bernard Shaw. Desmond Flower (1907-1997) was a publisher, collector, and writer. He joined his father's publishing house, Cassell, and remained there until it was sold in 1966 following his father's death. Cassell's was the publisher for many major writers, but Flower's most important writer was Winston Churchill, editing and publishing his History of English Speaking People and the History of the Second World War. Bound in publisher's original green cloth with title and author in gilt to spine. Binding and text in near fine condition. In original dust jacket which is torn and tattered, and now protected by a mylar cover. 297 pages. POE/052913. Near Fine / Chipped and Torn. More

Edinburgh and London: T.N. Foulis, 1908. Hardcover. Scarce First Edition. 1 of 500 copies. William Sharp (1855 - 1905) wrote numerous essays and biographies (including of Rossetti, Shelley, and Browning), although he is best known for the novels and plays that he wrote under the pseudonym "Fiona Macleod." This is a presentation copy, inscribed: "To Alice Egerton with friendly greetings from the author's wife Elizabeth, October 1919, 'It is loveliness I seek: not lovely things.' F.M'" Laid in is a program for the performance of the play at the Village Hall Chislehurst, Saturday June 29. Bound in original linen backed brown paper boards with spine label and title and author in gilt on front cover. Boards are bumped and slightly soiled but still very nice. Offsetting to endpapers otherwise in very good condition. 53 pages. DRA/061313. Very Good. More

London: John W. Parker, 1856. Hardcover. First Edition. Author's presentation copy inscribed "John Brett with the kind regards of Coventry Patmore Sept. 24/1856. Brett, an associate of the Pre-Raphaelites did at least two portraits of Emily Andrews Patmore and one of Coventry Patmore himself. Coventry Patmore (1823-1896) was an English poet now best known for The Angel of the House, his narrative poem about the ideal happy marriage. This was published as volume II to The Angel, and In this work he eulogizes his deceased first wife, who inspired The Angel. With the book labels of collector Lafayette Butler and J.O. Edwards. Bound in original brown cloth with some bumping and chips to spine and spine label. Interior pages show some aging but still quite clean and legible. Very good condition. 182 pages. POE/071516. Very Good. More