Out of the Past: Some Biographical Essays

The scarce two volume first edition of this collection of biographical essays by Sir M.E. Grant Duff, in signed half calf bindings by Bickers. A scarce first edition from Sir Mountstuart Elphinstone Grant Duff, a Scottish politician, administrator and author who served as the Under-Secretary of State for India from 1868 to 1874, and later as the Government of Madras.This two volume collection of biographical essays includes discussion of the author's time at Oxford, and at the Dilettanti Society, as well as essays on the Duke of Argyll, Walter Bagehot, and the Marquess of Dufferin and Ava.In Bickers signed bindings.With the armorial bookplate of the British statesman and colonial administrator Evelyn Baring, 1st Earl of Cromer, to the front pastedowns. In half calf signed bindings from Bickers, with cloth covered boards. Endpapers renewed. Light fading to back strip. Rubbing to joints and spine head and tail, with small losses to the leather in these regions. Front hinge of volume II a touch strained, but firmly held. Armorial bookplate to front pastedowns. Internally, firmly bound. Pages clean and bright. Very Good.…