Bohemia in London.

RANSOME, Arthur.

Published by London: Chapman & Hall, Limited, 1907

About this Item

First edition, first impression, presentation copy, inscribed by the author to his literary agent on the front free endpaper, "Hugh Massie, with admiration and thanks from Arthur Ransome". Ransome's first success was dedicated to his fellow novelist M. P. Shiel and based on the author's own experiences in the capital. Hughes Massie (1876-1921), whose bookplate on the front pastedown is emblazoned with his family motto "Justus propositi tenax", founded a successful literary agency with Curtis Brown in 1906. Ransome, one of his early clients, thanks him in the printed note on the verso of the dedication page: "It would never have been finished but for the strenuous scolding and encouragement of Mr Hughes Massie" (p. [vi]). The chapter entitled "A Chelsea Evening" evocatively encapsulates Ransome's life in London, detailing a literary soirée at the home of the artist, writer, and occultist Pamela Colman Smith. Smith "entertained many writers and artists such as Arthur Ransome, Bram Stoker, John Masefield, Lady Gregory, Florence Farr, and above all W. B. Yeats, who deeply influenced her" (Decker & Dummett, p. 1910). The book's illustrator, Fred Thomas (1875-1963), worked primarily as a poster artist. He "was suggested to Ransome by his poster of a newsboy used to advertise the stationer and bookseller W. H. Smith & Son" (Hammond). His contribution helps to make this "easily the best-looking Ransome volume ever produced" (Brogan, p. 55). Hammond A8. Hugh Brogan, The Life of Arthur Ransome, 1984; Ronald Decker & Michael Dummett, A History of the Occult Tarot, 2013. Octavo. With 16 black and white plates printed on grey heavy stock paper and illustrations in the text by Fred Taylor. Original grey cloth, spine lettered in gilt, front cover lettered in black with vignette stamped in brown and black, top edge gilt. Plate at pp. 122-3 supplied from another copy. Spine toned, cloth soiled and rubbed, wear to spine ends and corners, scattered foxing and marks to contents: a good copy.

Seller Inventory # 179421

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Bohemia in London.
• Publisher: London: Chapman & Hall, Limited, 1907
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)