London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1857. Hardcover. First Edition of author's second novel. RARE INSCRIBED COPY: "F. Maxse/ from his friend/ GM." George Meredith (1828-1909) was an important author and poet of the Victorian era. He was a friend to many major figures of his time including William and Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Algernon Charles Swinburne, Robert Louis Stevenson, and J.M. Barrie. This book is inscribed to Frederick Augustus Maxse, his dearest friend, who was a hero of the Crimean War. Meredith's book, Beauchamp's Career, was based on the political career of Maxse. In his bibliography of Victorian fiction, Michael Sadleir described Farina as scarce, saying "few Victorian fictions are more seldom seen than [this and three others]." Bound in the original apple-green cloth. It has been professionally recased. The binding is rubbed and soiled but still very nice (According to Sadleir, the binding was both unusual and easily soiled.) Interior pages are clean and bright. Includes July 1857 publisher's catalog. With bookplate of the noted book collector, H. Bradley Martin. Housed in a green cloth clamshell box with paper title and author label to spine. An exceptional association copy in the extremely scarce original cloth. 244 pages plus 16 page publisher catalog. LIT/120312. Very Good.

Item #26421

Price: $3,000.00