Showing posts with label antiquarian books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label antiquarian books. Show all posts

Thursday, January 27, 2011

The Days I Knew: Autobiography of Lillie Langtry 1st Edition Doran 1925

Here is our latest auction on Ebay:

The Days I Knew by Lillie Langtry. First edition, published by the George H. Doran Company in 1925.

Lillie Langtry was born as Emilie Charlotte Le Breton and later became known as the Lady de Bathe. She was spent several years as the mistress of the Prince of Wales Edward Albert, who later became King Edward VII. Shortly after the end of the affair, she heeded the advice of friend Oscar Wilde and embarked on a successful acting career. She frequently toured the U.S. and eventually became an American citizen. 

The book is full of black and white photos showing why Langtry was considered one of the great beauties of her day. 

Condition: The purple hardcover boards are in nice shape for a book that is 85 years old. Some visible scuff marks and fading to lettering along spine. Typical shelf wear, with corners of cover a bit bent and dulled. Book is complete with all pages/boards firmly attached to binding. Two small labels are found on the blank page at the beginning of book, one with an address blacked out using a marker.


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First Edition of Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain 1883

Now up for bid on Ebay:

Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain 

With more than 300 illustrations

Published in 1883 by James R. Osgood and Company, Boston

First edition. Intermediate state B: without of Mark Twain in flames on page 441; with caption reading "The Saint Louis Hotel" on page 443

Estimated grade: Good to Very Good. Frontispiece is developing a tear along the binding, but remains attached at top and bottom of page. Pages have tanned lightly with age. Boards shows typical shelf wear - minor scuff marks, blunted corners. 

Rebound in original hardcover, with nice tight binding. 

Auction ends on Sunday, January 30, 2011


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Tuesday, October 26, 2010

1830 Large 3 Volume Leather Bound Edition of the Holy Bible

Just added this new listing to Ebay. Bidding ends this Saturday - October 30, 2010!

Click here to bid now!

A large three volume leather bound edition of the Holy Bible published in 1830. Displays nicely with gilt lettering on black labels on spine. Each volume stands approximately 11 1/2" tall and measures around 10" wide. Ornately illustrated with 56 plates, 8 maps, plus indexes, plans, and tables. 







Text of the title page:

THE 

HOLY BIBLE

ACCORDING TO

THE AUTHORIZED VERSION

WITH

NOTES, EXPLANATORY AND PRACTICAL

TAKEN PRINCIPALLY FROM THE MOST EMINENT WRITES OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF ENGLAND AND IRELAND:

TOGETHER WITH APPROPRIATE INTRODUCTIONS, TABLES, INDEXES, MAPS, AND PLANS

PREPARED AND ARRANGED BY 

THE REV. GEORGE D'OYLY, D.D.

AND 

THE REV. RICHARD MANT, D.D. (Now Lord Bishop of Down and Conner)

LATE DOMESTICK CHAPLAINS TO HIS GRACE THE LORD ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY 

UNDER THE DIRECTION OF 

THE SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE

FOR THE USE OF FAMILIES

CAMBRIDGE:

PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS

BY JIM SMITH, PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY

SOLD BY MESSRS. RIVINGTON & CRADOCK; AND LONGMAN, BOOKSELLERS TO THE SOCIETY, ST. PAULS CHURCH-YARD, AND WATERLOO PLACE, PALL MALL;

BY BALDWIN & CRADOCK; AND LONGMAN & CO., PATERNOSTER-ROW, LONDON; 
AND BY J. & J. DEIGHTON, CAMBRIDGE; 

AND BY ALL OTHER BOOKSELLERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. 

1830.

Cum Privigio

Condition: All three volumes are complete with all pages attached. Definitely not "mint". Leather is noticeably dinged up, with prevalent scratch and scuff marks, dings and tears. Some foxing to pages, although all in all not bad for this book of this age.


Shipping: Free insured shipping via USPS Media Mail. 

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Charles Dickens' Works 1877 Complete in 15 Volumes Illustrated Carleton


Sold! What's it worth? This item sold for: $144.95



Charles Dickens' Works

Complete in 15 volumes

Carleton's New Illustrated Edition

New York: G. W. Carleton & Co., Publishers

London: Chapman & Hall

MDCCCLXXVII



An attractive edition of Charles Dickens' works. Each volume features decorated green cloth boards, beautiful gilt lettering and design on spine, and a decorative frontispiece and tissue guard. Many wonderful illustrations depicting scenes from classic Dickens tales.

All books are complete with no pages missing. Majority are in at least Good condition.

This is a complete set containing all 15 original volumes. Free shipping!

Feel free to contact me with questions!

Buy it on Ebay today!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

The Lady of the Lake by Sir Walter Scott - Published by William Milner in 1842, Cheapside Edition

I just listed an interesting and possibly quite rare miniature edition of Sir Walter Scott's classic poem "The Lady of the Lake" on Ebay.


Here is the publishing information listed on the cover page:

The Lady of the Lake

A Poem

By

Sir Walter Scott, Bart.

Carefully Revised And Corrected

With Notes,

And Life of the Author

Halifax

Printed and Published by William Milner,

Cheapside

MDCCCXLII (1842)

I searched on Abebooks and a number of the other websites specializing in antiquarian books, but could not find another one listed anywhere.

This is a quite attractive early edition of the poem, which was first published in 1810. The cover features gilt lettering and design. Gilt edges. Decorative frontispiece.

The book is in solid condition for its age, complete with all pages firmly attached. There is some tearing to the cover cloth along the spine. Blank page at front is signed by a previous owner.

Click here to purchase this book on Ebay today!



Sunday, November 1, 2009

Adventures of Superman by George Lowther 1st Edition 1942 Random House

Now up for auction on Ebay - The Adventures of Superman by George Lowther, published by Random House back in 1942. The book contains a novelization of Superman's early origin story and early adventures, with illustrations by creator Joe Shuster. This is the first edition of the book. A unique Superman collectible published just four years after the Man of Steel's first appearance in 1938's Action Comics #1!




The Adventures of Superman by George Lowther

Illustrations by Joe Shuster

1942

Random House, New York


Featuring gorgeous color plates and black & white illustrations. The illustrations capture the history of era. For example, one illustration depiction shows the Man of Steel catching a red hot shell in his hands as it hurdles towards a life boat full of stranded sailors and another shows a Clark Kent lifting an massive anvil over his head in a Paul Bunyon style pose.



Auction ends Saturday, November 9, 2009.


First publication of On Mr. Fechter's Acting By Charles Dickens 1869 Atlantic Monthly Volume XXIV



Portsmouth Vintage Bookstore is auctioning off the hard to find first publication of Charles Dickens On Mr. Fechter's Acting in the pages of Atlantic Monthly Volume XXIV, published back in 1869.





The Atlantic Monthly, Volume XXIV

1869

Boston: Fields, Osgood, & Co.

Marble and leather boards. Former library book, with book plate and library stamp on interior of front cover. Complete, with all pages present and firmly attached, with exception of title page and the black page proceeding it - which is loose at binding but remains attached. A previous owner used black tape on spine and yellow tape on the interior of the front and back boards along the book's bindings. Despite these amateur restorations, the book has great eye appeal for its age.


This seven day auction ends of Saturday, November 7.

Bid now on Ebay!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Memoirs of Maximillion de Bethune, Duke of Sully, Prime Minister to Henry the Great, 1763



Portsmouth Vintage Bookstore has just listed a wonderful set of antiquarian books containing the memoirs of the prime minister to Henry the Great on Ebay!

Memoirs of Maximillion de Bethune, Duke of Sully, Prime Minister to Henry the Great

Volumes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 (5 of 6 original volumes)

The Fourth Edition

London

Printed for A. Milar, in the Strand; R. and J. Dobsley in Pall-Mall; and W. Shropshire, in New-Bond-Street

1763 (MDCCLXIII)

Leather bindings

Condition: All five volumes are complete, nice tight bindings with boards and covers firmly attached. Leather boards shows scuff marks and stress lines along spine, but all in all has held up quite well over the years . Labels missing from spine on Volumes 1, 4, 5, 6.

Complete sets of this edition list for $350-$1000 online.

This is a three day auction ending on Tuesday, October 13. Bid now on by visiting our online store on Ebay:

http://myworld.ebay.com/portsmouthvintagebooks/

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

The Plays and Poems of Shakespeare Antiquarian Book Set Edited by A.J. Valpy 1844




Just arrived at the Portsmouth Vintage Bookstore: A unique antiquarian set of the works of William Shakespeare. This set contains 11 of 15 volumes from the The Plays and Poems of Shakespeare, published in 1844 by Henry G. Bohn, London. A coveted edition of Shakespeare's works edited by A.J. Valpy. Beautifully bound by 
Zaehnsdorf.




Description:

Tan/brown boards, which I believe to be morocco. Tooled leather spines featuring gilt lettering and design. Front and back boards feature a gilt emblem featuring the initials "WS". Marbled end papers bordered by gilt dentelles. Each volume is illustrated and features a decorative frontispiece.  



The set features many of Shakespeare classics and includes:

Volume I: Life of Shakespeare, Dr. Johnson’s Preface, The Tempest, The Gentlemen of Verona

Volume II: Merry Wives of Windsor, Measure for Measure, Comedy of Errors

Volume IV: Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing, As You Like It

Volume VI: Macbeth, King John, King Richard the Second

Volume VII: King Henry IV – Part I & Part II, King Henry V

Volume VI: King Henry VI Part I, II, III

Volume IX: King Richard III, King Richard VIII

Volume X: Troilus and Cassida, Timon of Athens, Titus Andronicus

Volume XII: Antony and Cleopatra, CymbelineFive of the eleven volumes are in Good condition, with nice tight spines and covers and all pages attached. A blank page at the front of Volume VII is detached at spine and still present. Front boards/end papers of Volumes I, VIII, IX, XIII are cleanly detached at spine and still present. Front board of Volume X appears to be glued along spine.

Decorative leather bands along the spines are brittle with age, with some pieces missing. Some bumping to corners, edges and scuff marks/scratches in surface of boards.

Pages are lightly tanned. Very little foxing found in these volumes, mostly limited to fly leafs and plates. Plates have acquired an attractive gray-purple hue. Frontispieces and plates have acquired an interesting gray/purple hue over time. Some minor chipping, tears found along a few individual page edges.

Volume XIII: King Lear, Romeo and JulietThis set includes:

Volume XV: Venus and Adonis, The Rape of Lucrece, Sonnets, The Lovers Complaint, and The Passionate Pilgrim

Condition:

Five of the eleven volumes are in Good condition, with nice tight spines and covers and all pages attached. A blank page at the front of Volume VII is detached at spine but still present. Front boards/end papers of Volumes I, VIII, IX, XIII are cleanly detached at spine but still present. Front board of Volume X appears to be glued along spine.

Decorative labels along the spines are brittle with age, with some pieces missing. Some bumping to corners, edges and scuff marks/scratches in surface of boards.

Pages are very lightly tanned. Very little foxing found in these volumes, mostly limited to blank sides of end papers and plates. Plates have acquired an attractive grey hue. Frontispieces and plates have acquired an interesting gray/purple hue over time. Some minor chipping, tears found along a few individual page edges.

Buy it today on Ebay!



Friday, March 6, 2009

The Works of Charles Dickens 14 Volume Antiquarian Book Set Collier 1900

Today I am listing a partial set containing 14 out of 30 volumes of The Works of Charles, published in 1900 by Peter Fenelon Collier. Each book in this collection is beautifully illustrated, and features an attractive frontispiece and tissue guard. Speckled edges and dark blue-green boards.  8” tall by 6” wide. 


I’d estimate the grade of these books to range from good to very good. The exception is Volume XXIX, which I’d rate as being in Poor/Fair condition. Boards and cloth are in nice shape, with some bumping, scuff marks, and minor staining to exterior. All books are complete with all pages and boards attached. Pages are lightly tanned with no foxing. See below for condition details for individual books.


Volume XIII: A Tale of Two Cities, Miscellaneous: The Perils of Certain English Prisoners, The Wreck of the Golden Mary, The Begging-Letter Writer. 18 Illustrations. 3” tear in title page. Small pencil mark on back fly leaf. 


Volume XIV: Dombey & Son Part One. 18 Illustrations. Front board/fly leaf detached from frontispiece, but still attached to binding. Name “Charles Dickens” written in pencil on front fly leaf – certainly this is not an authentic signature given that author had been deceased for some time when this edition was printed. Small pencil mark on back fly leaf.

Volume XVII: The Old Curiosity Shop Part Two, Hard Times, Miscellaneous – Sketches of Young Couples. 18 Illustrations. Small pencil mark on back of fly leaf.

Volume XVIII: Christmas Books, Miscellaneous – The Haunted House. 26 Illustrations. Tearing along spine at front hinge, cover remains attached. Front section up through title page is starting to come loose, but remains attached. This volume has a good deal of ink & pencil writing in it from previous owners, particularly in the front & back of book. Some pencil in margins, text – does not affect readability of stories. Small black stain across bottom edge. 

Volume XX: Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club Part One. 28 Illustrations. Small pencil mark on back fly leaf.

Volume XXI: Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, Party Two. 26 Illustrations. Small 1/4” tear on bottom edge. Small pencil mark on back flyleaf.

Volume XXIII: Bleak House Part II. 30 Illustrations. Small pencil mark back fly leaf.

Volume XXIV: Pictures From Italy, Uncommercial Traveller. 30 Illustrations. Front board & fly leaf separated from frontispiece but still well attached. Small pencil mark on back fly leaf. 

Volume XXV: Barnaby Rudge Part I. 28 Illustrations. Top corned of back fly leaf folded over. Small pencil mark on back fly leaf. 

Volume XXVI: Barnaby Rudge Part Two, Master Humphrey’s Clock & Other Stories. 24 Illustrations. Cracking along gutter between fly leaf and frontispiece. Small pencil mark on back fly leaf.

Volume XXVII: American Notes, Reprinted Pieces. 12 Illustrations. Minor tearing along front hinge. Small pencil mark back fly leaf.

Volume XXVIII: Child’s History of England. 13 Illustrations. A few tears in cloth along backstrip, with a small ½” section of cloth detached and dangling at top of spine. Name/Date (1900)/Address written in pencil on interior of front board. Hinged – some tearing along front hinge. A few minor tears and chipping present in blank pages in back of book. 

Volume XXIX: Christmas Stories. 13 Illustrations. Hinged – Some tearing in paper along front hinge. Small pencil mark back fly leaf. 1/2” section of top corner back board is damaged – seems to have been bumped pretty hard. 

Volume XXX: No Thoroughfare, The Mystery of Edwin Droor. 16 Illustrations. 1/2” piece of cloth dangling loosely at top of backstrip. Shaken. Cracking along back of title page. 2” tear paper where interior of front board meets fly leaf. Some page corners folded over. 

This wonderful set of antiquarian books is available for purchase now for just $74.95 on:



If you have any questions about these books, please feel free to contact me at!

Best,

David Anderson
Portsmouth Vintage Books
davewanderson@care2.com

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

The Works of Charles Dickens Collier's Unabridged Edition

Welcome to the Portsmouth Vintage Bookstore blog! Today I am listing a complete set of the Works of Charles Dickens, Collier's Unabridged Edition. This unique oversize edition features an ornate gilt cover design and is profusely illustrated throughout. The set includes six volumes, each containing several Dickens classics. Each book is 7 1/2 " wide by 10 1/2" tall. The books are undated, with the exception of the date 1870 located beneath the frontispiece of Volume I. 


Included in this set:

Volume I: Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Our Mutual Friend - 20 Illustrations;

Volume II: Great Expectations, Little Dorrit, Martin Chuzzelwit - 20 Illustrations;

Volume III: Nicholas Nickleby, Christmas Books, A Tale of Two Cities, Dombey & Son - 24 Illustrations;

Volume IV: Old Curiosity Shop, Sketches by Boz, Hard Times, Miscellaneous - 16 Illustrations;

Volume V: Pickwick Papers, Pictures From Italy, American Notes, Bleak House;

Volume VI: The Uncommon Traveller, A Child's History of England, Barnaby Rudge, Miscellaneous, The Mystery of Edwin Drood - 21 Illustrations;

I'd estimate the grade of these books to range from Poor/Fair to Good. Exterior: Gilt design has faded, particularly along spine. Some staining/scuff  marks typical of books this age. Interior: Cracking along interior of cover by spine. Minor foxing, writing by previous owners. Some volumes have loose/missing/torn pages. 

You can own this unique set of antiquarian books today!




I'm always willing to answer any questions you might have about the books featured on this blog. Feel free to contact me at davewanderson@care2.com

Happy reading!

David Anderson
Portsmouth Vintage Books