Wykeham Books

Limited edition (the number of copies not stated). Laminated illustrated wrappers, 8vo, 88 pp, ills. 183 entries. From the introduction: "For many years the interest of collectors and dealers of Edgar Wallace' hooks has been limited by a lack of details about the United Kingdom First Editions. Many books have been offered for sale and detailed in auction catalogues which have been stated, in good faith, to be 'first editions'. This book sets out to provide an easy reference to the United Kingdom and United States First Editions Copy No. 902. Wrappers somewhat marked, Good.

Cloth, 8vo, 23 cm, 25, xxix, 140 pp, [12] leaves of plates. From the text:"The "really truly" gift-books had an appearance and make-up all their own, very different from any other volumes. At first they were the small duodecimos, then octavos, and finally some of them appeared as quartos. Their bindings were ornate, often to the point of gaudiness. If of leather the covers were heavily embossed, or profusely gilt, or if a cloth was desired, a watered silk dress gave distinction to the volumes. Some of the earlier ones had engraved paper sides, usually green. Some had bindings with a floral design inlaid with mother-of-pearl. A few had slip-cases to protect their bindings, a ribbon being attached with which to pull forth the volume. Some had large paper editions, sold at a higher price than the regular copies. The contents consisted of prose - short stories and essays - and selected poetry often with flowery borders about each page. There were illustrations - engravings or colored plates - dignified in the catalogues as embellishments. These numbered anywhere from one to twenty-five or thirty and were either illustrative of the text (though there are suspicions that oftentimes the story was written up to the pictures), or had no connection whatever with the contents. There was, usually, an engraved or colored "inscription plate" upon which the donor was expected to write his name and that of the fortunate recipient-to-be. . In their names these literary annuals were especially distinctive. They were gifts, tokens, souvenirs, mementos, keepsakes and offerings, with all conceivable qualifying adjectives, or else they bore the name of some flower, plant or gem. Every phase of every subject had its token, from "Mourner's Chaplet" to "Marriage Ring," from "Mother's Present" and "Young Maiden's Mirror" to "Young Man's Guide" and "Pastor's Gift." There were "Leaflets of Memory" and "Thought Blossoms," "Rainbows" and "Snowflakes," and "Dewdrops." The subtitle was usually "A Christmas, New Year's and Birthday Present." Thus in binding, contents, illustrations, and name these interesting "butterfly books" were easily distinguished from the common run. " Top edge duststained, covers slightly rubbed, contents Very Good.

Cloth, 8vo, 128 pp, ills. 142 entries bibliographically described. From the blurb - "This guide to the early literature of cricket traces and illustrates the historical and sociological growth of the game up to 1895 when Alfred Gaston produced the first separately printed bibliography. David Rayvem Allen explores the wealth of early books and pamphlets about cricket that began to appear in the eighteenth century, while a wide selection of contemporary illustrations further enrich his exposition and recall the golden age of cricket." Very Good in slightly faded dustwrapper.

Later library cloth, gilt spine-title, 8vo, 23 cm, xv, 216 pp, frontispiece portrait and 2 plates. From the preface: "Swinburne became "The Poet of Revolt".In a sense this was perfectly true, but in a sense quite other than was intended and infinitely more subtle. It was not until La Jeunesse de Swinburne appeared in 1928 that Swinburne was exhumed from the dank concealing clay to which the literary sextons had consigned him. Without Lafourcade's imaginative scholarship Swinburne would still remain what Gosse and Mr. Harold Nicolson were content to have him be: an inexplicable phenomenon. "There will be those, doubtless," wrote the latter, "who . . . will trace depressing and essentially erroneous analogies to Dr. Masoch and the Marquis de Sade. .". The artist, like the saint and the criminal, tends to be maladjusted. His sensitivity alone forbids him to accept unquestioned society's rules and taboos, its standards and ethics; for him its synthesis is either too exclusive or too inclusive. According to his temperament and capacity he seeks, consciously or not, to create a synthesis of his own. Essentially it is a rival one. He becomes a revolutionary, and society reacts with the brutality engendered by fear. When it becomes apparent, as in the case of Swinburne, that this rival synthesis is founded upon so apparently dangerous an aberration as algolagnia, the reaction is intensified. Society hits out wildly in a crisis of self-preservation. It may ban the books, bum the pictures and imprison the artist.But this is a confession of weakness. Swinburne was, perhaps, more fortunate. Nineteenth-century England was very conscious of its strength. It contented itself with the lesser forms of persecution. In what, exactly, did Swinburne's eccentricity consist? The algolagnia, which was to become so notorious and acquire so European a reputation that no novelist in the last decade of the century could create a character who practised le vice anglais without attributing to him some of Swinburne's physical characteristics - an honour which, due largely to Maupassant, he shares with George Selwyn -was far more than a regrettable sexual aberration. The pornography of The Flogging Block and The Whippingham Papers, the ridiculous indecencies of the correspondence, were but symptomatic of an emotion which was infinitely more profound, of an anguished sensitivity which was of the very essence of his being.". An ex-library copy with a few library stamps and marks, some paper adhered to front pastedown endpaper, contents otherwise Good.

Illustrated wrappers, 8vo, 21 cm, 89 pp, ills, facs. 310 entries Catalogue of an important exhibition. Introductory essay on "Hans Christian Andersen as seen through British eyes". The catalogue is arranged in sections covering first editions, later Danish editions, English editions, German editions, Andersen's correspondence, Andersen as seen through British eyes, books and articles on Andersen, etc. Each section has a short introduction, and most catalogue entries are briefly annotated. Wrappers darkened and duststained, lower foreedge corner of rear wrapper creased, right hand half of pp 79-80 torn away so Fair only.

Cloth, 8vo, 669, [1] pp. From the preface: This work is an abridged and revised version of The Oxford Companion to French Literature, first published in 1959. Abridgement has been effected by condensation and amalgamation rather than omission, in the belief that the briefest mention is more helpful than silence and that this approach would best preserve the unique scope and utility of the Companion which ranges tar beyond the strictly literary field. Many new articles have been added, and a great many existing articles revised or expanded, in an attempt to bring the whole work more nearly up to date.". Good.

Laminated illustrated boards, pictorial endpapers,small square 4to, 176 pp, ills (some colour). Near Fine.

Laminated illustrated wrappers, 8vo, 24 pp, 28 colour plates, some folding. From the publisher's description: "This small volume of early Irish Gospel-books features an informative introduction by authority James Johnson Sweeney in which he describes the development of the art of the Irish monks with particular emphasis on the Book of Durrow and the Books of Kells, and explains how the intensity, imagination and freedom of these early Christian masterpieces bring them close to the spirit of modern art.".

Cloth, 8vo, [ii], 62 pp. 343 entries. Top edge spotted, a little foxing, otherwise Near Very Good in dustwrapper. Printed compliment slip of the author laid in.

Printed wrappers, 4to, 31 cm, 7, [1] pp, 46 full-page plates. With a good but brisk introduction, so principally useful for the illustrations which range from a 1507 missal to the work of Eric Gill. An ex-library copy with a sticker taped around the spine, stamp on the front inside wrapper and title-page, and a stamp with accession marks on the verso of the title-page.

Printed wrappers, 8vo, 63 pp, portrait frontispiece, ills. Pencil notes on front wrapper, wrappers rubbed and marked and browned around spine, contents Good.

Printed wrappers, 8vo, 6 pp, 24 plates. Slightly duststained, short tear at foot of spine, otherwise Good.

Laminated pictorial boards, small square 4to, 18 cm. 429, [1] pp, ills (some colour). From the blurb - " 'Saints: The Art, the History, the Inspiration' is a modern classic - a warm, humane, and beautifully balanced insight into the lives of some of the most extraordinary people who have ever lived - the dazzling panoply of Christian saints. Author Michael McMahon brings an enlightened passion to his subject, and brilliantly illuminates the stories of these powerful, charismatic personalities. . Here, an amazing array of individuals are linked over two thousand years in time by a common bond of sainthood. Throughout history, and across the globe, every one of them has been inspired, strengthened, and guided by Christian belief. And these heroic characters have responded to the events in their lives in many different ways - as dissidents, teachers, mystics, martyrs, and miracle workers. Richly illustrated, this is a breathtaking visual feast, with images from illuminated manuscripts, mosaics, glorious paintings, sculptures, icons, and cinema clips that explore and reveal the amazing experiences of saints down the ages." Near Fine.

Laminated illustrated wrappers, 8vo, 20 cm, xi, 243, [1] pp, ills, From the introduction - "There are many surviving calendars which give a name, a classification (eg martyr, virgin or bishop) and feast-day for many thousands of saints, but for the majority we have no further information. Where a legend exists, the details are often so fanciful, and written so long after the event, that the facts remain at best shadowy. The selection of saints included here is an attempt to present the histories of some of the most influential, interesting and, wherever possible, best- documented saints. Often a saint's influence on succeeding generations is out of all proportion to the reliability of his or her legend, but for the purposes of this reference work these important figures have been included wherever possible." Near Very Good.

Laminated illustrated wrappers, 8vo, 24 cm, 263 pages, 21 plates, ills. From the blurb - "This is the first genuinely new account of Blake's life for more than 50 years. Unlike earlier biographers, James King stresses the close connection between the man and the mystical and symbolical worlds he created, and he gives equal emphasis to Blake the artist and the poet. Blake was a revolutionary with a unique vision which led him to create his own philosophy and mythology. He was a Christian who despised Christianity, a recluse who longed for fame, a man with deeply divided feelings about sexuality and aware of dark inner forces that threatened to conquer him, but against which he did battle. In James King's concise, critical biography these conflicts are fully discussed for the first time. King links the growth of Blake's imagination to the pictures and the poems in which he dramatised his inner struggles; he reveals the fullness of Blake's divided personality and brings him vividly to Iife." Near Very Good.

Cloth, 8vo, 21 cm, xii, [1],413, [31] pp. From the blurb: "The Oxford Literary Guide is a companion to the literary associations of Great Britain and Ireland. Entries range from Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott, to Zennor, the Cornish village where D. H. Lawrence and his wife lived in 1916-17. In between come entries on cities, towns, villages, houses, castles, schools, inns, and districts connected with the lives and works of over 900 writers from Bede to Tolkien. Buildings that can no longer be seen - such as the Whitehall house in which Pepys began his Diary in 1660, or the Dublin house where Swift was born, or the coaching inn where Addison used to alight from the London coach to visit Steele - are mentioned. Fictitious names of real places are entered as cross-references. Hours of opening are given for buildings accessible to the public and specially drawn maps are included at the end of the book. A biographical index of authors gives brief outlines of their lives in relation to the places mentioned, and titles of any of their works which have particular local connections." Contents agetoned, otherwise Very Good in Very Good price-clipped dustwrapper.

Laminated illustrated wrappers, 4to, 25 cm, 248 pp, numerous ills (a few in colour) 236A entries. Contents include: Vorwort; Literatur-Auswahl; Theaterbauten Kat. Nr. 1-29; Bühnendekor und -figurinen der Renaissance Kat. Nr. 30-41; Theaterdekorationen und Bühnenkostüme des 17. Jahrhunderts Kat. Nr. 42-70; Commedia dell' Arte-Wiedergaben Kat. Nr. 71-79; Bühnenbilder des 18. Jahrhunderts Kat. Nr. 80-111; Bühnenkostüme und Darstellungen des Theaterpublikums im 18. Jahrhundert Kat. Nr. 112-123 A ; Theaterfigurinen und Bühnenbilder des 19. Jahrhunderts Kat. Nr. 124-155 A ; Bühnenbilder und Theaterfigurinen des 20. Jahrhunderts Kat. Nr. 156-236 A. From te introduction: "Beginnend mit einer Übersicht über die Entwicklung des Theaterbaus seit der Antike bis heute, folgen dann - chronologisch geordnet und durch die Jahrhunderte fortschreitend - die Entwürfe, Modelle und Wiedergaben von Theateraufführungen, ihren Dekorationen und vielfältigen Kostümen, welche die Agierenden nicht nur trugen, sondern mit denen sie ihre besondere stilistische Eigentümlichkeit annahmen. Wir durchstreifen damit den Zeitraum von der Renaissance bis heute und bewegen uns innerhalb des weitgefächerten europäischen Theatergeschehens. Dessen ephemer aufleuchtende Glanzlichter, in Stichen und Zeichnungen eingefangen, sind konfrontiert mit vorbereitenden gezeichneten und gestochenen Entwürfen zu bekannten wie auch unbekannten Aufführungen, deren Szenen und Kostümausstattung. Aus diesen heterogen zusammengefaßten Darstellungen ergibt sich mosaikartig ein Bild von der Fülle und dem Reichtum europäischen Theaters in fünf Jahrhunderten. Dem Beschauer und Betrachter bleibt es überlassen, aus dem zweidimensional auf Papier Dargestellten, den Zauber des theatralischen Augenblicks übersetzend mitzuerleben, die dreidimensionalen Bühnenaktionen nachzuvollziehen, sich der Phantastik farbig schillernder Dekorationen und duftig schimmernder Kostüme hinzugeben. Mit einem Wort: Es bedarf der Imagination, diese ausgestellten Wiedergaben umzusetzen in tatsächliches, von Leben, von leidenschaftlicher Aktion, flirrender Grazie, Musik, Licht und Geräuscheffekten prall erfülltes Geschehen. Fast sämtliche Bezirke der kaleidoskophaften Welt der Bretter sind dabei betrachtbar.".

Laminated illustrated wrappers, 8vo, 23 cm, 392 pp. ills. 210 entries. From the introduction: "Vierhonderd jaar geleden, omstreeks 14 februari 1584, richtte de Utrechtse vrocdschap in hct koor van de Janskerk een stedelijke bibliotheek in, die na de oprichting van de Universiteit in 1636 tevens Universiteitsbibliotheek werd en in deze hocdanigheid tot op de dag van vandaag is blijven voortbestaan. Het vierde eeuwfeest van de Utrechtse Universiteitsbibliotheek lijkt een geschiktc aanleiding om de collecties handschriften en oude drukken, zoals deze in de loop van vier eeuwen op basis van het in 1584 bijeengebrachte bezit zijn gegroeid, globaal te beschrijven en tevens aan de hand van een aantal 'topstukken' te illustreren. Uiteraard kan in dit kader aan de geschiedenis van de bibliotheek niet worden voorbijgegaan. Deze zal op een uitvoerige wijze aan de orde komen in een medio 1984 te verschijnen bündel met bijdragen van D. Grosheide, J. van Heijst, A.D.A. Monna en P.G.N. Pesch. Daarom kan hier worden volstaan met een kort overzicht dat de collecties handschriften en oude drukken in hun contekst plaatst." This second edition includes a list of corrections. Very Good.

Printed wrappers, large 8vo, 30 cm, 124 pp. Contents: Foreword; Introduction; Vergil and ISTC; Index of Libraries; Bibliographical Abbreviations; Vergil - Census of Printed Editions 1469-1500; Index of Titles and Incipits; Index of Printing Towns; Index of Printers; Concordances; Doubtful Editions. Near Fine.

Cloth, 8vo, 23 cm, xiv, 338 pp, ills, maps (some colour) ; Non-authorial gift inscription on front free endpaper, otherwise Very Good in Very Good dustwrapper.

Laminated wrappers, 8vo, 25 cm, 366 pp, 8 pp of plates. From the blurb - " John Ruskin was noted as an intellectual of tremendous scope. His analytical mind extended to the field of art criticism, championing the art of Turner and the Pre-Raphaelites and his collected works extended to thirty-nine volumes. John Ruskin's intellectual achievements were marred by an unhappy personal history. His poignant relationships with Effie Gray and later Rose La Touche were factors which contributed to the tragic decline at the end of his life. 'Joan Abse treats Ruskin with deep and proper respect from start to finish; and she writes best of all on his ideas about art and artists.' - Philip Toynbee, Observer." Wrappers faded and marked, minor abrasions, edges of textblock spotted, otherwise Good.

Printed wrappers, 8vo, 59 pp. 399 items. From the preface: "On 8th May 1956, a Conrad Exhibition was held in conjunction with a lecture given by Mr. John Conrad, the writer's son. A very large proportion of the exhibits came from the Polish Library holdings; these were supplemented by loans from the private collections of Dr. W. Tarnawski and Mr. B. Wolski (Wyrzykowski), and from the Library of the Polish Research Centre, (which has since been incorporated into the Polish Institute and the Sikorski Museum). The Catalogue of the Exhibition listed 202 items; of these 180 belonged to the Polish Library. In subsequent years, systematic purchases and gifts have increased this number to 320 books and 84 miscellaneous items drawn from periodicals. The fact that the Collection attracts scholars from all over the world, and has helped many students of Conrad, justifies the publication of an up-dated catalogue of its holdings." Wrappers slightly marked, otherwise Good.

Cloth, 4to, 29 cm, 198 pp. From the introduction: "The British Union-Catalogue of Periodicals (BUCOP) in its new form is concerned with the recording of new periodical titles for the period in and after 1960. This embraces periodicals and serials which began publication for the first time, or which changed their titles, or which began a new series. Serials which ceased publication in these years are also noted.The World List of Scientific Periodicals will be in effect continued through the publication of separate annual volumes of the BUCOP.While it is our primary aim to include library holdings with each entry in this catalogue, we shall also list appropriate titles which have become known to us for which we have no holdings recorded." Head of spine slightly torn, otherwise Good.

Cloth, small 4to, 24 cm, xii,108, [3] pp, ills, maps. From the blurb: "Aylesbury Town Yesterdays is an anthology which highlights many rare and unusual items of the town's roots. We read of the Battle of Aylesbury, the birth of the Aylesbury Protection Society and about two of its MP.'s - valiant libertarians familiar the world over. The first, John Hampden, flourished in the 17th Century and the second, John Wilkes, a hundred years later. A fine statue was unveiled to the former in 1912 in the market square, but unfortunately no memorial exists in Aylesbury to Wilkes. Did you know that Aylesbury was a well- known horse racing centre nearly 300 years ago? The post office even used a special post mark for telegrams from the course! Read about an interesting feat of horsemanship and a Royal Visit to the town by Queen Victoria. Meet, perhaps for the first time, Thomas Dell - an early Aylesbury astronomer - characters long since gone like 'Peewit' and 'Pigeon', as well as the much loved personality 'Ducky- Weston'. Learn about 'mine host' at the White Hart, the first factories, Old Aylesbury charities, the famous Aylesbury 'Duck', our well- known Clock and Watchmakers and the vanished local craft of basket making. Explore the fascinating history of the town's Market Square and of some of its early buildings: Agriculture House, Ceely House, St. Osyth's, the Corn Exchange, the Old George Hotel and the Bull." Very Good in Very Good dustwrapper.

Cloth, 8vo, xviii, 172 pp. "Roger Munting examines the development of the sport in the context of the social history of Great Britain in the last two centuries, paying particular attention to the professional participants, the role of betting through the ages, and the more recent influences of television and sponsorship." - from the blurb. Gift inscription on verso of half-title. Contents medium heavily agetoned, otherwise Good in a somewhat agetoned dustwrapper.

Cloth, 8vo, 23 cm, xiv, 281 pp, [8] pp of plates. From the blurb - "Tom Moore has been unjustly neglected. He was Byron's favourite friend and wrote the first Life. His melodics are still among the loveliest songs in the language. Sir John Betjeman has recently said that some of his lyrics are better than Byron's. Apart from this, the entry of a grocer's penniless son from Dublin into Regency society is a unique success story. Moore said of himself that he was something of a show child. Tiny - he never grew to more than five feet - he charmed all who came his way. He was contributing poetry to magazines at thirteen. In Trinity College Dublin he made a figure, and took part in debates with Robert Emmet, against whom he refused to give evidence after the Rebellion of 1798. While in Trinity he made translations of Anacreon. With these in his pocket he went to London, aged 20. Within six months he was made free of the London drawing-rooms, where he sang his own songs, accompanying himself. The Prince Regent accepted the dedication of his first poems. He laughed with Sydney Smith, listened to Macaulay, rollicked with Byron; and when Sir Walter Scott took him to the theatre in Edinburgh, the audience rose to its feet and cheered first their own hero, then the Irish one. Moore is often criticised for having agreed with John Murray, the publisher, to the burning of Byron's Memoirs, which had been given by the poet to Moore to edit after his death. Mr White's book makes clear that Moore was not either in a position to prevent the destruction or in favour of it." Top edge slightly dust-stained, otherwise Good in slightly used dustwrapper.

Cloth, large 8vo, v-viii, 890 pp. In alphabetic arrangement, the work includes, first of all, short biographies and bibliographies of American authors, with information regarding their style and subject matter; nearly nine hundred summaries and descriptions of the important American novels, stories, essays, poems, and plays; definitions and historical outlines of literary schools and movements; and information on literary societies, magazines, anthologies, co-operative publications, literary awards, book collectors, printers, and other matters related to Writing in America. Literary terms that are sufficiently defined in the dictionaries are not discussed, except when they have a distinctive history in the United States. Thus there are no entries on the conventional terms of prosody, but free verse, polyphonic prose, and stream-of-consciousness fiction are briefly treated, and there are lengthy articles on such subjects as the tall tale, the ballad, local color, and romanticism. As is indicated by the Chronological Index, the scope of the volume includes far more, however, than literature considered as belles-lettres.There are, accordingly, biographies of persons who are not authors but who have been important in the nation's social history and culture, articles on religious sects, wars, laws and documents, educational institutions, important cities and regions, political parties, popular slogans, and outstanding newspapers and periodicals. Slightly rubbed, front endpapers a little spotted, small plain paper labels pasted over part of the title on the recto and verso of the title-page, otherwise Good.

Cloth, blindstamped cover device, 8vo, x, 233 pp. In its day, the best bibliography of Shaw, although now rather overshadowed by Laurence's massive work. Includes in addition to the primary works some 70 books and 270 articles about Shaw. Top edge duststained, edges spotted, occasional minor foxing, otherwise Good.

Cloth, small 8vo, vii, 207 pp, 4 plates. Bookplate on front pastedown endpaper, otherwis eVG in yellowed dustwrapper.

Cloth, small 8vo, 18 cm, vi, [4], 141, [1] pp, plates. From the blurb: "The new edition of this manual has been extensively revised in the light of new facts and knowledge. The pages on modern book production have been brought up to date, and the first chapter, dealing with the origins of printing in Europe, a subject on which new light has recently been shed, has been entirely recast. There are minor alterations elsewhere and some new plates. Based upon the original work by Harry G. Aldis, this manual is for all who are interested in printing, amateurs or professionals, and is the only one to cover the subject. Its chapters deal with the history of printed books from the beginning, with production methods and processes, illustrations, binding and the care of books. There are many illustrations, an original appendix on the development of type design, and a useful guide to further reading." Contents: I The Advent of Printing ; II The Spread of the Art; III The Fifteenth-Century Book ; IV The Scholar-Printers of the Sixteenth Century; V English Books, 1500-1800; VI The Modern Book; VII The Construction of a Book; VIII Illustrations; IX Bookbinding; X The Handling and Mishandling of Books; Appendix The Development of Type Faces; Books for Further Reading; Index. Name and address on front free endpaper, endpapers spotted, otherwise Good.