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These books and sets are either:

  • limited in demand, but might sell

  • damaged or worn, to be discounted

  • common books, elevated by their bindings

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BOOKS

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  1. Thomas BUSBY: Concert Room, 1825. Volume 3 of a larger set, orphaned. VG $40

  2. Esther SINGLETON: Social New York Under the Georges, 1902. VG $25

  3. Paul VERLAINE: Choix de Poesies, 1925. Reprint, in custom binding. VG $20

  4. William HAZLITT: The Round Table, 1841. Third edition, some wear. Limited demand. VG $25

  5. Maltbie BABCOCK: Thoughts for Every-Day Living, 1902. Fine binding, moderate wear, some dings on cover. Sells occasionally in cloth binding for $15-$30. VG $35

  6. Robert BROUGH: A Cracker Bon-Bon for Christmas Parties, 1861. Nice fine binding, minor fading and scratches to covers, obscure title. Only two sales in many years: $50 & $100. VG $80

  7. Robert BROUGH: A Cracker Bon-Bon for Christmas Parties, 1852. Full red calf binding, one full-cover horizontal dragged scratch across back cover, obscure title. Two sales (as above): $50 & $100. VG $60

  8. The Brothers MAYHEW: Acting Charades, n.d. (1850 suggested). Three copies, near identical in contents, with slightly different bindings: two red calf, one ¾ green calf over green marbled paper, minor dings. Obscure title. 5 sales in 5 years: $15-$75. 26 offered: $30-$200. VG+ $75 each

  9. M.L. Laurent TAILHADE: The Amorous Adventures of a Lady of Quality, 1933. Obscure title, red sheep over red marbled paper. Reprints available in the $10s, none finely bound. VG- $25

  10. Thomas DE QUINCEY: Klosterheim or The Masque, 1832. Small, finely bound obscure item, with some wear and foxing, yellowed paper. A few worn cloth bound volumes have sold in the $10s, none finely bound. VG $40

  11. Gustave KOBBE: The Complete Opera Book, 1935. Eleventh edition updated with latest in opera news and criticism. ¾ bound in red calf over red cloth. A little water damage. Many iterations circulating. Many selling in the $10s. VG- $25

  12. J.B.H.R. CAPEFIGUE: Madame de Pompadour, 1908. Obscure biography. Fine binding in full green calf. A few sales in the $20s. VG $30

  13. Henry FIELDING: The Adventures of Joseph Andrews, n.d. In two volumes (7&8), orphaned from a larger set of 12 of Fielding’s works, but complete as a novel. Calf bindings are strong, leaves are clean, light wear. No comparable sales. VG+ $60

  14. John HAY: Poems, 1913. Plain fine binding, moderate wear. Sells for $30. Offered at $30-$60. VG $30

  15. William SHAKESPEARE: Sonnets, Tercentenary Edition, 1909. A very slim volume in full red calf, some damage to the spine head, soiling on covers and on initial pastedown. Leaves are clean, smart looking print job. No sales comparisons. One similar offered for $75. VG $60

  16. Charles BAUDELAIRE: Les Fleurs du Mal, n.d. (1868 suggested). In French. Orphaned from collection of complete works. ¾ bound in green morocco over teal marbled paper. Spine has faded to brown, some wear to raised bands. There is a stand-alone collectible edition of this work from the same year, but this isn’t the one. VG- $80

  17. Bernard SARRANS: Louis-Philippe Lafayette and the Revolution of 1830, 1832. First edition, in two volumes. ¾ bound in claret morocco over claret buckram. Light wear to edges, slight cracking of joints, light foxing in the endpapers. Offered at $40-$225. One pair in G condition sold 10 years ago for $40. VG $80

  18. Princess DASCHKAW: Memoirs, Vol. II, 1840. ¾ bound in dark blue morocco over marbled paper. Obscure. Few sales, few offers. VG+ $40

  19. Earl of BIRKENHEAD: Turning Points in History, n.d. Seventh printing stated. ¾ bound in claret morocco over claret cloth covered boards. Light wear. No sales, no offers. VG $30

  20. Dixon WECTER: The Saga of American Society, 1937. First edition, ¾ bound in claret calf over light red cloth. Some wear, soiling, corners raw. VG- $30

  21. Theodore CAHU: La Montee de las Races, n.d. French book, probably turn of 20th C. Quarter bound in brown morocco over blue marbled paper. Well worn around the edges. Offered for $30. VG- $30

  22. Ferdinand FABRE: L’Abbe Tigrane, 1913. In French. Quarter bound in brown morocco over blue marbled paper. Well worn around the edges. VG- $20

  23. Jean LORRAIN: Poussieres de Paris, 1902. In French. Quarter bound in brown morocco over blue marbled paper. Well worn around the edges. VG- $15

  24. G.J. WHYTE-MELVILLE: Song and Verses & The True Cross, n.d. (1904 suggested). ¾ bound in red calf over red cloth. Cover worn and damaged, joint splitting at head of spine. Nice paper, but foxing throughout. VG- $40

  25. John MASEFIELD: Poems, 1941. Standard issue Macmillan hardcover rebound in blue full morocco. Spine is sunned, worn around the edges. Text block gilt at top, soiled otherwise. Leaves are clean. Similar sold for $25. VG- $25

  26. Grace & Philip WHARTON: The Wits and Beaux of Society, n.d. (1860s). First edition, in two volumes, illustrated. ¾ bound in claret morocco over red cloth. Spines worn, covers scratched and rubbed, a little foxing here and there. VG- $40 

  27. Grace & Philip WHARTON: The Queens of Society, n.d. (1860s). First edition, in two volumes, illustrated. ¾ bound in claret morocco over red cloth. Spines worn, covers scratched and rubbed, a little foxing here and there. VG- $40

  28. Grace WHARTON: The Literature of Society, 1862. First edition, in two volumes, illustrated. ¾ bound in claret morocco over red cloth. Spines worn, covers scratched and rubbed, a little foxing here and there. VG- $40 (Maybe all six Wharton volumes could be sold as a set)

  29. Philip Whitwell WILSON (ed.): The Greville Diary, 1927. First edition, in two volumes, ¾ bound in claret morocco over red linen. Little shelf wear, water stains and soiling on covers, extensive water stains on leaves. Sells for $20-$60 in original binding, offers up to $90 for fine with fine jackets. G $30

  30. Albert BEVERIDGE: Abraham Lincoln: 1809-1858, 1928. Two volumes, first edition, first impression, limited to 500 copies. Cloth binding is worn. Sells well in range of conditions: $30-$350. VG- $40

  31. Washington IRVING: The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, 1895. Two volumes #7/175 of Limited Westminster Edition. Worn full calf binding, but simple, not finely done. One pair offered in a slipcase for $600, but no real demand in market. Last sale $360 in a fine binding. VG- $150

  32. James MONTGOMERY: Our Admiral’s Flag Abroad, 1869. First edition, presentation copy, inscribed by Admiral D.G. Farragut (of “damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead” fame), the book’s subject. Hinge is broken, joint almost failed. One sold for $30, unsigned. VG- $60

  33. ANON: Little Hydrogen or the Devil on Two Sticks in London, 1819. Nicely bound, some water damage. A few offered $50-100, no sales history. VG- $50

  34. Charles & Mary LAMB: Tales from Shakespeare, 1863. Fine binding, but worn, clean leaves. Lots of examples out there, not a lot of sales. G $40

  35. Charles & Mary BEARD: The Rise of American Civilization, 1936. New Edition, revised and enlarged. Nicely bound. Lesser ones sell for $20. VG+ $30

  36. Charles DICKENS: The Wreck of the Golden Mary, n.d. Orphaned volume from a larger set. Pocket sized, fine binding, strong, clean. VG $40

  37. Franz WERFEL: The Forty Days of Musa Dagh, 1936. A standard issue Viking Press hardcover, rebound in green morocco over green buckram. Spine sunned almost to brown. Light wear. Only sales and offers in standard cloth binding: $20-$40. VG+ $40

  38. Francis GRIBBLE: Madame de Stael and Her Lovers, 1907. Illustrated first edition, ¾ bound in green morocco over green buckram with high quality rag paper. Some wear and discoloration to covers, gilt stamped spine bright and crisp, presents well if you don’t take it off the shelf. VG- $40

  39. Matthew ARNOLD: Poems 1840-1867, 1913. ¾ bound in light claret calf over red cloth. Light wear. Mis-stamped 1923 on spine. VG $60

  40. Francis BACON: Essays, 1913. From the Verulam Club. ¾ bound in red morocco over faded red marbled paper. A little soiled, binding strong, uncut rag paper. Only one sold, 10 years ago for $35. VG $35

  41. Fyodor DOSTOYEVSKY: The Brothers Karamazov, 1945. Standard issue Modern Library edition of the Garnet translation rebound in full green calf. Spine sunned to brown. High demand book, binding may give it a boost. VG $60

  42. Robert BROWNING: La Saisiaz & The Two Poets of Croisic, 1878. Two in one volume, first edition. Bound in full green morocco, with original covers bound in the back. Offered in original bindings at $15-$90. No sales history. VG+ $40

  43. Robert BROWNING: Parleyings with Certain People, 1887. Bound in full green morocco, with original covers bound in the back. Offered at $20-$100 in original binding, with some sales around $20. VG+ $40

  44. James HILTON: Lost Horizon, 1936. 16th printing standard issue Grosset & Dunlap hardcover, rebound in green morocco over green buckram. Light wear to covers, spine sunned almost to brown, trade quality paper, some water stains. Title remains in demand. First editions command a premium. Fine binding should give it a boost. VG+ $80

  45. John LEECH & John TENNIEL: Punch’s Pocket Book, 1859. An illustrated pocket-sized personal diary for memos and spending. Full navy morocco binding with ornate gilt tooling. A little wear to face of joint. No markings (hasn't been used as a diary). These sell for $20-$300. VG+ $100

  46. John KEATS: Poetical Works, 1924. Small, ¾ bound morocco over green marbled paper covered boards with raised bands and rosette decorations on the spine. Corners bumped and chewed? Foxing in the preliminaries. Sales of similar: $40-$175, but there's a wide variety of Keats’ in circulation for buyers to choose from. Presents well on shelf. VG- $75

  47. Alfred Lord TENNYSON: Idylls of the King, 1913. Small, full green calf, gilt text block all around. A few knocks, fading to spine, clean leaves. Many available. Sales from $60-$200. VG $120

  48. Elim H. D’AVIGOR (Wanderer): Across Country, 1882. First edition, ¾ bound in red morocco over green marbled paper, front joint slightly cracked, some dings, a little soiled, foxing throughout. A few in cloth bindings have sold for around $25. A few offered in similar bindings $150-$250. VG- $140

  49. Ralph Waldo EMERSON: The Conduct of Life, 1903. Limited edition of 350. ¾ bound in red morocco over pale red cloth. Five raised bands, with ornate gilt tooled floral pattern. Spine is sunned, front joint is cracking. Half title page has been cut at the title. Nice quality paper. Only one sale in cloth: $15. VG- $40

  50. Bouk WHITE: The Book of Daniel Drew, 1910. ¾ bound in green morocco over pale green cloth. Spine is sunned brown, only light wear to covers. Leaves are clean but yellowed. Bookplate. Sells in original binding for $25 up to $200 for fine with jacket. VG+ $90

  51. C.H. Collins BAKER (ed.): The Art Treasures of Great Britain, 1914. Large folio, bound in full green morocco, with 56 black and white engravings or tipped-in color prints. Spine has sunned to brown, lightly rubbed covers, bumped corners. Slightest of foxing from handling throughout. High quality prints. Offered at $35-$60 in cloth, no sales. VG+ $60

  52. Alfred NOYES: Collected Poems, 1913. In two volumes, perhaps missing a third? ¾ bound in brown morocco over gold, brown and green marbled paper. Well worn and soiled but still elegant. A set of three in better condition has sold for $150. A set of two in better condition is offered at $225. Remaining offers for cloth bindings. VG- $120

  53. Alfred NOYES: A Salute From the Fleet, 1915. Same binding and condition as above. HCDJ 1st ed in VG offered at $80. VG- $75

  54. Charles MORGAN: The Voyage, 1940. First printing. ¾ bound green morocco over pale blue cloth, some wear, some soiling, spine sunned to brown. HCDJ 1st in VG offered at $30-$50. VG $60

  55. Charles MORGAN: Sparkenbroke, 1936. First edition. Same binding and condition as above. HCDJ 1st in VG offered at $80-$160, sold at $50. VG $90

  56. John TRUMBULL: Autobiography 1756-1841, 1841. First edition, in two volumes, full leather fine binding. Some wear, strong bindings, fairly clean leaves. One sold for $50 in rough shape. VG $90

  57. Thomas CARLYLE: The French Revolution, 1904. One of many reissues, nice but modest binding, clean leaves, well made. VG+ $100

  58. Benjamin FRANKLIN: Letters from Family and Friends: 1751-1790, 1859. First edition, limited to 10 copies in quarto size, rebound in ¾ blue morocco. VG $120

  59. James LOWELL: Under the Willows and Other Poems, 1869. First edition, bound in full green morocco with trimmed full gilt text block and original binding bound into the back. Very little wear to covers or spine. Some of the gold leaf on the fore edge has rubbed off.  Something wonky happened at the bindery and the preliminaries don’t open as they should, but are still accessible to the reader. A few offered in original binding for $15-$150, very few sales. VG+ $60

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SETS

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  1. Mark TWAIN: Complete Works, 1899-1907. Set of 25 volumes, complete. Limited “Autograph Edition" of 512 copies. The first collection of his works to be overseen by Clemens, he signed the limited edition notice page of the first volume of each set. The other volumes indicate this is set #1/512, but the notice page with the signature has been removed from the first volume. Signs of the tear-out are not glaring, but evident. Books are also damaged: chunks of spine ends are missing and mice have chewed large sections of leather from the edges of the covers of some volumes. Strong bindings on most volumes, except for Vol. I, which has a broken front hinge. Beautiful paper, mostly clean leaves, some water stains. May still be sold at a discount. G $150

  2. W.M. THACKERAY: Complete Works, 1869. Illustrated set of 24 volumes, complete. ¾ bound in tan calf over peach linen, with faux raised bands. Strong bindings, a little foxing in preliminaries, applied title labels are flaking from many of the spines, doesn't present well. Could still be sold at a discount. Sales: $80-$575. G $120

  3. G.J. WHYTE-MELVILLE: Complete Works, 1898-1902. Illustrated set of 24 volumes, complete, limited edition of 1050. Bound in full green calf with faux raised bands, ornate hunting motif decorations. Strong bindings, some wear to spine ends, spines sunned to brown, many of the covers have large water stains and endpaper damage. Could still be sold at a discount. Sales in fine bindings: $100-$400 G $150

  4. Charles LESLIE & Tom TAYLOR: Life and Times of Sir Joshua Reynolds, 1865. First edition in four volumes, incomplete, missing volume II. Full red morocco, with bold black and gilt stamped decorations on covers and spines, gilt text blocks all around. Strong bindings, little wear, leaves very clean, tissues intact. Sells in two volume sets $30-$125. Replacement volume II available in different bindings, but title is somewhat obscure. Presents well, may be sold for decor. VG+ $60

  5. George T. FERRIS: Great Musicians Series, 1882. Five volumes, incomplete set. Half bound in navy calf over marbled paper. Text block marbled all around. Spines faded, corners bumped, foxing around title pages, otherwise clean leaves. A few single volumes in cloth bindings sold for $15. G $60

  6. William SHAKESPEARE: Plays, 1789. Three volumes, from a nine volume set, incomplete. Bound in full calf with applied labels. Leather is showing age but stable, spine heads frayed, joints worn but holding, corners bumped, text blocks soiled, leaves a bit crumpled but fairly clean. These sell for $15-$30 for singles, $90-$1,500 for complete sets, in varying conditions. G $60

  7. Nathaniel HAWTHORNE: Complete Works, n.d. (early 1900s) "Wayside Edition" 10 of 13 volumes, missing volumes 3, 5 & 8, incomplete. ¾ bound in brown morocco over purple marbled paper. Light shelf wear, leaves are clean. Could be sold at a discount. VG+ $50

  8. James BOSWELL: The Life of Samuel Johnson, 1872. Ten small volumes, ¾ bound in maroon calf over purple marbled paper. Spines are sunned, some light scratches, a water stain on the lower corner of some of the text blocks, occasionally creeping inside. Pull out maps and illustrations all seem present. Of the many reprints, editions and bindings of this work, this one seems a bit unremarkable. VG $80

  9. Henry REEVE (ed.): The Greville Memoirs, 1874-1887. First edition, complete eight volume set; first part: a journal of the reigns of King George IV and King William IV, in three volumes (1874); second part: the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837-52, in three volumes (1885); third part: the reign of Queen Victoria from 1852-60, in two volumes (1887). All volumes bound alike: ¾ navy morocco over blue cloth with a crisp gilt stamped logo on the cloth cover. Some chipping at spine heads, corners all worn, covers have a few dings, heavy foxing in the preliminaries, light foxing elsewhere, pages otherwise clean. Full sets sell for $100-$350, depending on binding and condition. VG $150

  10. Francis THOMPSON: Poetical Works, n.d. (about 1913). First edition, in three volumes, complete. ¾ bound in green morocco over pale green cloth. Some light wear, occasional foxing, overall very clean. Nice rag paper, uncut. These sell for $35-$500, depending on binding and condition. VG $150

  11. Charles G. HARPER: The Portsmouth Road (1895), The Dorset Coast (1905), The Old Inns of Old England in two volumes (1906), The South Devon Coast (1907), The Manchester and Glasgow Road in two volumes (1907). A small collection of travel writing, bound alike in 3/4 red calf over red linen with gilt stamped icon decorations on spines between five raised bands. Light shelf wear, soiling in deckled edges of text blocks, occasional areas of foxing in the popular bits. Some limited demand in the market, hovering around $25 per volume/pair. VG $125

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