New Arrivals
Tannhauser: A Dramatic Poem, Freely Translated in Poetic Narrative Form
London: G. G. Harrap and Co., (n.d.). Hardcover, 7 1/2 x 10", black cloth binding with gilt design and title lettering to front board and spine, no dust jacket, unpaginated and untrimmed, 12 color plates, 10 b/w plates, light extremity wear otherwise a very good + copy.
A dramatic poem by Richard Wagner [1813 - 1883], freely translated in poetic narrative form by T. W. Rolleston, and presented by Willy Pogany. The story centers on the struggle between sacred and profane love, and redemption through love, a theme running through most of Wagner's mature work.
The Garden of Allah
Popular Library, no publication date (1970 approximation based on research). Book is tight and square. Spine is creased and slightly edge worn. Cover is bright, with edge wear and creasing on top corner. Interior is clean, no bookstore stamps or writing. Age toning is present as is common in books of this vintage.
The Spectator in Miniature being the Principal Religious, Moral, Humourous, Satirical and Critical Essays, Vol. 1 & 2
Exeter: J. & B. Williams, 1839. Hardcover, 3 x 5". Black cloth over boards with gilt design and lettering on spines, spine edge on volume 2 has 2" split, both have minor shelf wear and moderate foxing, previous owner's name on front paste-down endpaper in both volumes, otherwise very good condition.
The Spectator was a daily publication with a run from 1711 to 1712. The fictional character Mr. Spectator writes about the habits and shortcomings of his fellow citizens. The authors promoted family, marriage, and courtesy. The Spectator catered mainly to the interests of merchants and traders, the emerging middle class and was also widely read in America.
80 Page Giant No. 1 (Superman Annual)
New York: DC Comics, National Periodical Publications, 1964. Softcover, 7 x 10 1/4". Pictorial covers with some wear and creases, some tape on spine, tanning throughout, black marker to front and rear cover, significant tear on page 59, otherwise good + condition.
Originally planned as Superman Annual No. 9, which is probably why someone has written 9 in black marker on front and rear covers. Rated as a good + 3.0 on comics industry's Overstreet grading standards. Per the cover "Featuring Superman's Most Fabulous Adventures" such as The Revenge of Luthor, The Old Man of Metropolis, Ma and Pa Kent Adopt Supergirl and Superman vs. Super-Menace, plus more.
Granny's Wonderful Chair
London: Griffith Farran Okeden & Welsh, n.d. (ca 1891). Hardcover, 7 3/4 x 10". 94 pp. Brown cloth over boards with pictorial cover, significant corner bumping and wear to edges, stains to cover, previous owner's inscription on half-title page indicating the year 1891, tear to front free endpaper, some tanning and stains, full-color frontispiece, 16 beautiful full page coloured illustrations by Marie Seymour Lucas, black and white illustrations throughout, good condition.
Originally published in 1856, this is a very early [1891] reprint of a wonderful children's book that is still in print today. Written by Francis Browne, who was known as the 'The Blind Poetess of Ulster'.
Andrew Smith Hallidie, Originator of Cable Railway Transportation
San Francisco: Lawton Kennedy, 1940. Softcover, 7 x 10 1/2". 14 pp. Limited edition of 200 copies, this is #59; stapled pamphlet, stiff paper wrap has some soiling and edge wear, b/w frontispiece portrait of Hallidie, inscription by the author on the colophon, very good condition.
This is a reprint of an article that first appeared in the California Historical Society Quarterly, Vol. XIX, No. 2, June, 1940. An interesting read on the originator of the cable car system of San Francisco.
The Wildling Princess
Joliet: P. F. Volland Co., 1929. Hardcover, First Edition, 6 1/4 x 8 1/4". 79 pp. Brown cloth over boards with gilt stamped lettering and picture of a castle on front cover and gilt lettering on spine and back cover, some rubbing at corners, loose front hinge, a little purple crayon on half-title page and on the back free endpaper, otherwise in clean condition, very good condition overall.
This book is from the Volland Inglenook Series, a set of publications in which the books are meant to build character and entertain at the same time. A rare book by this author, the Wildling Princess is a charming children's tale about a misbehaving and wild princess who is taught by the court magician to be kind and polite. Illustrated in color and b/w by John Edward Perkins with each page of text bordered with castles and turrets.
The Good Time Primer
Boston: Educational Publishing Co., 1898. Hardcover, 5 1/2 x 7". 147 pp. Red cloth spine wrap with pictorial paste-down cover, some edge wear and corner bumping, some loss of paste-down on the back cover, stains to paste-down endpapers, previous owner's gift inscription to ffep, color and b/w illustrations throughout, good + condition. Currently, no other copies in the trade. American Primers, 534.
A lovely children's primer with repetitive phrases for teaching and nature lessons designed to "stimulate the powers of observation." The legend of Hiawatha is included to appeal to pupils and encourage them to express their ideas. The author has also included character-building stories intended to "teach perserverance, obedience, truthfulness, and love."
Calorie Saving Recipes With Improved Sucaryl: New Non-Caloric Sweetener for Reducing and Diabetic Diets
Chicago: Abbott Laboratories, 1955. Paperback, 4 1/4 x 6", 48 pp., pictorial cover wraps, small ex-library sticker taped around upper spine edges, drug store stamp on the rear cover, very good condition.
Sucaryl, also known as sodium cyclamate, is an artificial sweetener approximately 30-50 times sweeter than sugar. Discovered in 1937 at the Univeristy of Illinois, it was banned by the FDA for sale in the United States in 1969 but is still available without restriction in the UK and other parts of Europe. This booklet has many recipes using Sucaryl solution or tablets.
The Poetical Works of Nicholas Rowe, with the Life of the Author. (Bell's Edition of British Poets Complete from Chaucer to Churchill)
Edinburgh: Apollo Press for John Bell, 1782. Hardcover, 3 1/4 x 5 1/8", 142 pp, tree calf binding bordered in gilt with gilt decoration to spine, maroon and black title labels lightly rubbed, marbled endpapers, age darkened pages, some foxing throughout, original ribbon mostly present, very good condition.
This volume contains the Nicholas Rowe's (1674 - 1718) miscellanies, epistles, epigrams, odes, songs, prologues, epilogues, imitations, etc, etc, etc. Appointed Poet Laureate in 1715. Bells Poets, published in the 18th century consisted of the works of some 48 poets, and totalled over one hundred volumes. Scarce in the trade.