Ad Lectorem

Londini; [London], Johannis Nichols, 1785. Paperback. A very scarce pamphlet containing a competition for writing, an interesting and unique work. A very scarce pamphlet consisting of an international literary competition. For the competition, entries must be in Latin, with three copies sent by July 1787 to agents in Vienna, Paris, or London. The first prize was 1000 gold imperials, and 500 gold imperials for the second prize.With a title vignette.Collated, complete. In the original paper wraps. Externally, smart. Spine is a little age-toned. Light marks to the wraps. Very light edge wear. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean with a few scattered spots. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: None. Very Good Indeed .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 908P9

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: Ad Lectorem competition latin john nichols competition None

A Collection of Handwritten Extracts

None, None, 1938 . First edition. Leather. A unique collection of handwritten extracts and notes from various works, written between May and October 1938. Bound in quarter crushed morocco with marbled boards.A collection of extracts and notes from various works, handwritten, between May and October 1938. With a handwritten pagination of 141 pages. Comprised of a wide array of extracts, including a poem from the Observer entitled "The Slave", a letter written by St. John Ervine printed in The Times, extracts from the autobiographies of Thomas Wright of Olney and G. K. Chesterton, Arnold Bennett"s "Literary Taste", Kurt London"s "The Seven Soviet Arts", "The Life and Letters of Lord Macaulay", "The Torrington Diaries", Miguel de Unamuno"s "The Tragic Sense of Life", a list of the Sovereigns of France, and poetry from a number of different authors, including Winthrop Young, Siegfried Sassoon and Robert Hayman. With a woodcut by Robert Gibbings and a newspaper cutting of Merchant Adventurers" Hall.Written in blank ink with the occasional margin notes in red ink. Bound in quarter crushed morocco with marbled boards. Externally, very smart, with light rubbing to the extremities and boards. Number '15' label to the spine. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean, written very neatly in blank ink with the occasional notes in red ink. Author's note detailing the dates written to the rear of the work. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: None. Very Good Indeed .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 903Q11

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: handwritten poetry G K Chesterton St John Ervine poetry leather binding Siegfried Sassoon None

Introductions, and Notes and Illustrations, to the Novels, Tales and Romances, of the Author of Waverley

Edinburgh, Robert Cadell, 1833 . First edition. Leather. A complete set of three volumes containing notes surrounding the Waverley novels, bound in half crushed morocco by Root & Son. The first edition. Complete in three volumes. Uniformly bound by Root & Son in a lovely half crushed morocco prize binding, with marbled paper-covered boards and a gilt motif of Giggleswick School to the front cover.This very scarce work presents introductions, notes and comments on illustrations to the Waverley novels, written by Scottish poet, author and historian, Sir Walter Scott. Volume I surrounds Waverley to Heart of Midlothian; Volume II presents the Bride of Lammermoor to Peveril Peak; Volume III surrounds Quentin Durward to Castle Dangerous. With a prize bookplate of Giggleswick School to the front endpaper, with the pictorial bookplate of John Waugh to the front paste down. Bound by Root & Son in half crushed morocco and paper-covered boards. Externally, lovely, with light shelf wear and slight fading to the spine and extremities. Bookplates to the front paste down and endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages generally bright and clean with the occasional area of scattered spotting, mainly to the first and last pages. Near Fine . Ill.: None. Near Fine .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 914Q20

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: Sir Walter Scott Waverley Novels notes literary criticism Waverley Novels root & son None

T. E. A. Acum, M. A. (Lond), L. R. A. M.

An Aspect of Dickens&Apos;S Characterisation: His Attempts to Suggest the Social Class of His Characters by Their Speech and Behaviour, with Special Reference to Pickwick Papers, Bleak House, and Our Mutual Friend

London, None, 1972. First edition. Cloth. A smartly bound doctorate thesis on the characterisation techniques of Charles Dickens. First edition. Very scarce. The doctorate thesis of T. E. A. Acum in English Literature. Exploring Charles Dickens's attempts to suggest the social class of his characters with chapters on house and household, finances, dress and appearance, hobbies and habits, evidence of knowledge and ignorance, manners, and speech focusing on vocabulary and pronunciation. With special reference to Pickwick Papers, Bleak House, and Our Mutual Friend. Includes a detailed index of characters. In the original black cloth binding. Externally, very smart with light shelf wear to the extremities and minor bumping. The odd small mark to the boards. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright and clean throughout. Light spotting to the fore edge. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: None. Very Good Indeed .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 913T47

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: Aspect Dickens Characterisation Social Class Dickens Acum None

Joseph Addison; John Richard Green

Essays of Joseph Addison

London, Macmillan, 1903. Leather. A collection of essays by founder of 'The Spectator' magazine, Joseph Addison. Edited by English historian, John Richard Green. Green began a religious career in the church and served various cures in London before turning to writing. He wrote several historical works including 'A Short History of the English People&apos. There are over eighty essays to this volume including Addison's 'Sir Roger De Coverley' series, his Court essays from the Tatler and several more humorous subjects such as humours of the town, the country and fashion. Addison was an essayist, poet, playwright and politician. He wrote several political pieces commissioned by the government and was Under-Secretary of State for some time. Today, Addison is most commonly remembered as an essayist. He began writing essays when his childhood friend, Richard Steele, started 'The Tatler&apos. Addison made some contributions to 'The Tatler' however, upon its discontinuation the duo began 'The Spectator' and Addison penned 274 of the 555 essays. In a red full calf prize binding with Hamilton house crest gilt stamped to the front board. Externally, smart with a few marks to the boards and spine. Rubbing to the joints. Prize bookplate to front endpaper, awarded to Hermione Pyke, Christmas 1907. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are generally bright and clean. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good Indeed .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: FIN3-C-18

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: the spectatorr john richard green a short history of the english people sir roger de coverley john richard green Not Stated

Joseph Addison; John Richard Green [ed.]

Essays of Joseph Addison

London, Macmillan and Co. Limited , 1903. Leather. A notable selection of essays from Joseph Addison, founder of 'The Spectator' magazine, in full signed calf binding by Zaehnsdorf. A selection of works from the highly regarded essayist, Joseph Addison, who founded The Spectator magazine with his close childhood friend, Richard Steele. Includes writings on the Tatler's Court, stateswomen, humours of the town and humours of fashion. From the publisher's 'Golden Treasury Series&apos. Chosen and edited by English historian, John Richard Green. Bound in signed full calf by Zaehnsdorf, with gilt detailing and dentelles.One of his essays 'Adventures of a Shilling' which is included here, is a brief, early example of an it-narrative or object narrative, a genre that would become more common later in the century. In full signed calf binding by Zaehnsdorf. Externally, smart, with light rubbing to the extremities and marks to the boards. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are generally bright and clean, with the odd spot to the endpapers. Very Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 919Y39

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: Joseph Addison Essays Literary Criticism Essays Not Stated

[Joseph Addison]; [Richard Steele]; [Various]

The Spectator

London, J. and R. Tonson and S. Draper, c1753. Leather. A complete set of the popular short-lived periodical by Joseph Addison and Richard Steele, complete with a frontispiece to each volume. Complete in eight volumes.Illustrated with a frontispiece to each volume.'The Spectator" was a daily publication than ran from 1711 to 1712, created by Joseph Addison and Richard Steele. It was widely read despite its modest circulation, including being read by James Madison when he was a teenager.Richard Steele was an Irish politician and playwright. He was a member of the Kit-Kat Club, an English Whig club with strong literary and political associations. His first successful play was 'The Funeral', which was performed at Drury Lane.Joseph Addison was an essayist, politician and playwright. He also held form the Kit-Kat Club, which renewed his friendship with Richard Steele, whom he at met at Charterhouse School. His most famous work was 'Cato, a Tragedy', a successful play about Marcus Porcius Cato Uticensis.Addison and Steele founded several publications during their friendship, including the literary and social journal "Tatler", which published from 1709 to 1711. Steele also founded the short lived "The Guardian". None of these publications are related to the modern day ones which share their same names. In a half calf binding with marbled paper to the boards, neatly rebacked with the original boards and spines restored. Externally, rubbed, mostly to the boards. Minor bumping to the extremities. Discolouration to the extremities. Crack to the rear joint of Volume I. Backstrips are worn with some loss and surface cracks, repaired with the rebacking. Cracks to the joints of Volume II, III, V, VI, and VII. Front hinge of Volume III is strained. Front hinge of Volume V is starting but firm. Stain to the bottom edge of Volume VII, affecting the text. Internally, firmly bound, Volume VII is weak and textblock may fail, even with careful handling. Pages are lightly age-toned and generally clean with scattered spots, a little heavier to the first and last few pages. Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 856P6

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: The Spectator joseph addison richard steele essays joseph addison Not Stated

Joseph Addison

The Works of the Late Right Honourable Joseph Addison

Birmingham; London, John Baskerville; J. and R. Tonson, 1761. Leather. A volume collecting together many of Joseph Addison's contributions to 'The Spectator&apos. A Baskerville edition.Volume III only, of a total of IV volumes.This volume contains Addison's contributions to Numbers 92 to 505 of 'The Spectator&apos.'The Spectator" was a daily publication than ran from 1711 to 1712, created by Joseph Addison and Richard Steele. It was widely read despite its modest circulation, including being read by James Madison when he was a teenager.Addison is best known for his working relationship with Richard Steele, with whom he founded 'The Spectator' magazine. Addison and Steele founded several publications during their friendship, including the literary and social journal "Tatler", which published from 1709 to 1711.John Baskerville was an important and pioneering printer and type designer who invented 'wove paper&apos. In a rebacked full calf binding. Externally, generally smart, with light rubbing and marks to the boards. Hinges are starting but firm. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and generally clean with scattered spots. Good . Ill.: None. Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 954P10

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: The Works of the Late Right Honourable Joseph Addison joseph addison the spectator addison joseph addison None

Joseph Addison; Thomas Tickell

The Works of the Right Honourable Joseph Addison

London, Vernor and Hood; John Walked; Cuthell and Martin; et al, 1804. Leather. An illustrated edition of the collected works of Joseph Addison, comprising of his best known literary works. Complete in six volumes.The collected works of Joseph Addison.Addison was an essayist, poet, playwright, and politician, active during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. He is best remembered today for his essays.Addison had a lifelong friendship and professional relationship with Richard Steele, with whom he founded 'The Spectator', a daily publication than ran from 1711 to 1712.Volume I is illustrated with a frontispiece.Volume V is illustrated with eight plates.Volumes I and II contain 'The Spectator, Volume III contains 'Spectator' and 'Tatler, Volume IV contains 'Guardian', 'Freeholder', 'Whig-Examiner', and 'Lover', Volume V contains 'Dialogues upon the usefulness of ancient medals', 'Remarks on several parts of Italy, &c. in the year 1701, 1702, 1703', 'The late trial and conviction of Count Tariff', 'Of the Christian religion', and 'An essay on Virgil's Georgics', Volume VI contains 'Poetry&apos.Edited by Thomas Tickell, who was the Under Secretary to Addison. He collected these works as instructed by Addison, the first edition being published in 1721. Collated, Volume I lacks the front endpaper, otherwise work is complete. In a half calf binding with marbled paper to the boards. Externally, a little rubbed. Loss to the head of the spine of Volume VI. Light bumping to the extremities. Age-toning to the extremities of the boards. A very small amount of loss to the front board of Volume I. Loss of leather to the rear joint of Volume II. Very small amount of loss to the head of the spine of Volume III. Loss of paper to the tail of the front board of Volume III. Cracks to the joints, rear joint of Volume VI is starting. Front hinge of Volume 1 is starting but firm, rear hinge of Volume VI is starting but firm. Hinges of Volume III starting. Spots to the endpapers. Small tide mark to the head of the endpapers of Volume V. Lacking front endpaper to Volume I. Very small tide mark to the front paste down and endpaper of Volume II. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are lightly age-toned and generally clean with scattered spots and handling marks. Occasional ink note to Volume I IV. Plates to Volume V a little trimmed to the head. Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 904P25

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: The Works of the Right Honourable Joseph Addison joseph addison tickell richard steele joseph addison essays Not Stated

Joseph Addison; Thomas Tickell [ed.]

The Works of the Right Honourable Joseph Addison, Volume the First

London, Jacob Tonson, 1721 . First edition. Leather. The first volume only of the first edition of Thomas Tickell's edition of the collected works of Joseph Addison, containing works from his influential periodical publications. Illustrated with an engraved frontispiece and six plates of medals. Collated, complete.The first volume only of a four volume work.This volume includes poems on several occasions, 'Rosamond, an Opera', 'Notes on Some of the Stories in Ovid's Metamorphoses', 'An Essay on Virgil's Georgics', 'Cato', 'Poemata', and 'Dialogues Upon the Usefulness of Ancient Medals&apos.Addison is best known for his working relationship with Richard Steele, with whom he founded 'The Spectator' magazine. Addison and Steele founded several publications during their friendship, including the literary and social journal "Tatler", which published from 1709 to 1711.His most famous work was 'Cato, a Tragedy', a successful play about Marcus Porcius Cato Uticensis. ESTC Citation No. N24149 Rebound in quarter calf, with marbled paper covered boards, and endpapers renewed. Fading to spine, otherwise externally excellent. Tail of front hinge strained, but firmly held. Internally, firmly bound. Frontispiece neatly restored to gutter. Pages generally clean and bright, with instances of light spotting. Very Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 855F27

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: The Works of the Right Honourable Joseph Addison The Spectator richard steele Thomas Tickell The Spectator Not Stated

Aeschylus; Charles James Blomfield

Prometheus Vinctus

Londini; [London], B. Fellowes, 1829. Leather. An uncommon copy of Charles James Blomfield's notes and study of Aeschylus' classical 'Prometheus Bound', Blomfield's notes here in the original Latin. The fifth edition of this uncommon work.Printed in both Greek and Latin; the poem is in the original Greek, Blomfield's notes are in Latin.Charles James Blomfield's insightful volume of notes and commentary on 'Prometheus Bound', providing a critical study and exploration of the classic tragedy.'Prometheus Bound' is an Ancient Greek tragedy typically attributed to Aeschylus.Blomfield was a divine and classicist, and a bishop for the Church of England for thirty-two years.Prior owner's ink inscription to the front paste down and stamp to the recto to the front endpaper, 'W. Hopton&apos. In a half calf binding with marbled paper to the boards. Externally, generally smart. Light rubbing to the boards and spine. Minor bumping to the extremities. Spines and joints are faded. A small patch of loss of paper to the rear board. Prior owner's ink inscription to the front paste down and stamp to the recto to the front endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are lightly age-toned and generally clean with some spots, mostly to the first and last few pages. The occasional pencil note to the text. Good . Ill.: None. Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 801P32

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: Prometheus Vinctus prometheus bound aeschylus charles james blomfield prometheus bound poetry None

F. G. Aflalo

The Literary Year Book 1897 the Literary Year Book 1901 the Literary Year Book 1908

London, George Allen; Routledge, 1897-1908. Cloth. A scarce first edition of the very first Literary Year Book produced in 1897, and two later copies from 1901 and 1908. In the original binding, a scarce first edition of the 1897 Literary Year Book, published for the first time. There are 15 pages of monochrome photographs, including the frontispiece.Errata slip tipped in to half title.The 1901 and 1908 volumes are also scarce first editions, but without illustration, with the exception of a monochrome frontispiece in the 1901 book.All three volumes have advertisements at the front, with an Index to Advertisers at the rear introducing forty-six pages of advertisements in the 1897 and 1901 editions, and twenty-seven pages in the 1908 one.The three volumes demonstrate the evolution of the Literary Year Book over its first decade. The 1897 work includes illustrated editorial features, alongside directories of British authors and publishers and booksellers. By 1901, the book presents information about book sales, copyright and agreements in Part I, with Part II listing agents, artists, authors, booksellers, publishers etc.  By 1908, the whole book is devoted to directories, with only a small amount of editorial. In publisher's original blue cloth binding, with gilt design to front board. Externally generally smart, with bumping to extremities and rubbing to boards, more severe to the 1897 volume, which has cockling to spine and rear board, and marks to front board. Age toned endpapers in all volumes, heaviest in the 1897 volume. Also off setting and tender hinges in the 1897 volume. Internally, all volumes firmly bound. Pages age toned but generally clean, with scattered spotting, heavier to the first and last few leaves. British library stamps in the 1901 and 1908 volumes to the front free endpaper, and Bermondsey Library stamps throughout. Good . Ill.: None. Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 922B11

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: literary year book 1896 literature year book None

John Aikin

An Essay on the Application of Natural History to Poetry

Warrington; London, W. Eyres for J. Johnson, 1777. First edition. Leather. The first edition of this vanishingly scarce study on poetry and what the genre could learn from science, by John Aikin. The first edition.A very scarce work.An essay exploring the question of how science could invigorate the genre of poetry, which the author bemoans as becoming insipid and repetitive. The author believed that poetry could learn a lot from the sciences, in particular the study of nature.By John Aikin, a doctor and surgeon, practicing in various places including London and Great Yarmouth. After retiring from medicine in 1798 he pursued and succeeded in literary pursuits. His best known work is his ten volumes 'General Biography&apos. Through one of his sons he was the grandfather of the author Anna Letitia le Breton, who wrote poetry, essays, and children's books.Bookplate of J. O. Edwards to the front paste down, and to the verso of the front endpaper. Prize inscription to the recto of the front endpaper. In a half calf binding with marbled paper to the boards. Externally, generally smart, with loss to the head of the spine and spine label. Some discolouration to the spine and extremities. Light rubbing to the boards. Small tears to the head of the joints. Front hinge is a little strained but remains firm, rear hinge is starting. Bookplate and bookseller's label to the front paste down, bookplate to the verso of the front endpaper. Prize inscription to the recto of the front endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are lightly age-toned with scattered spots. Good . Ill.: None. Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 957P41

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: An Essay on the Application of Natural History to Poetry poetry natural history literary criticism poetry None

[John Aikin]

Essays on Song-Writing

Warrington; London, William Eyres; Joseph Johnson, 1774. Leather. The second edition of John Aikin's examination on the history of English songwriting. The second edition.John Aikin's insightful study on songwriting, and the development of the tradition of English songs from the earliest traces from ancient history to the eighteenth century. This volume offers a scholarly examination of songs, and pastoral poetry.The author has included examples of a wealth of English songs, by poets such as John Gay, Oliver Goldsmith, William Collins, John Dryden, L. M. W. Montague, and more.Aikin was a doctor who, once he retired from medicine, turned his attention to literature.Bookplate of J. O. Edwards to the front paste down. In a full rebacked calf binding, with renewed endpapers. Externally, generally smart, with light rubbing to the boards and spine. Bumping to the extremities, resulting in a small amount of loss. Minor marks to the leather. Hinges are repaired. Bookplate to the front paste down. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and generally clean with scattered spots. Good . Ill.: None. Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 931P32

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: Essays on Song-Writing songs poetry john aikin songs None

Brian Aldiss; Various

A Garland of First Lines

Oxford, Printworks, c2002. Paperback. A very scarce chapbook by Brian Aldiss, collecting together some of his favourite first lines in literature, from Aldiss' library. A very scarce work.From the library of the author.'A Garland of First Lines' is a charming chapbook by Brian Aldiss, collecting together some of the best first lines in works across history.Authors quoted in this work include Aldous Huxley, Isaac Disraeli, William Golding, Virginia Woolf, Kurt Vonnegut, Evelyn Waugh, George Orwell, Philip K. Dick, and more.A reprint, digitally printed from a copy supplied by Parchment Oxford LTD, for by Printworks in Oxford.From the library of Brian Aldiss, with a note loosely inserted regarding the provenance from his daughter, Wendy Aldiss. Aldiss was a popular English science fiction author, an influential writer of the twentieth century. One of his short stories, 'Supertoys Last All Summer Long', was the basis for the Stanley Kubrick - Steven Spielberg 2001 film 'A. I. Artificial Intelligence&apos. He was part of the British New Wave of sci-fi, and was greatly influenced by H. G. Wells. In the original publisher's paper wraps. Externally, fine. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Fine . Ill.: None. Fine .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 914P18

Catalogue: Literary Criticism

Keywords: A Garland of First Lines first lines brian aldiss first lines None