THE CASQUET OF LITERATURE: Being a Selection in Poetry and Prose from the Works of the Most Admired Authors.
London, Glasgow, Edinburgh: Blackie & Son, 1875-1876. Hardcover. Second edition of the first series; first edition of the second series. The first series in four volumes and the second series in two volumes, complete. Victorian-era anthology of literature and poetry, with selections by William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Sir Walter Scott, Thomas Hardy, Jane Austen, Edgar Allen Poe, Lord Byron, the Brothers Grimm, Louisa May Alcott, et al. Octavo, six volumes. Each volume with a portrait frontispiece with tissue guard, extra title page vignette, and seven full-page plates, all steel engravings, by J. Appleton, F. Bacon, Thomas Dick, J.C. Edwards, F. Engleheart, Augustus Fox, J. Goodyear, William Howison, James Johnstone, T.J. Kelley, W. Miller, J. Mitchell, J. Rogers, C. Rolls, H. Rolls, G.B. Shaw, D.J. Sluyter, Charles Wands, A. Wilson, et al, after Beaume, J.V. Barber, W. Bonar, H. Corbould, Alexander Fraser, J. Hakewell, S.A. Hart, W. Hilton, J. Israëls, Tony Johannot, G.M. Kemp, C.R. Leslie, H. Richter, D. Roberts, A. Somerville, E.P. Stephanoff, Titian, J.M.W. Turner, T. Uwins, R. Westall, David Wilkie, J.F. Williams, P. Williams, et al. In the publisher's blue pebble-grain cloth bindings, with beveled boards; black-stamped ruled and ornamental borders, ornamental rules and bands, and floral ornaments, gilt-stamped central diamond panel, with floral ornaments, and band with titling on the front and rear panels; and black-stamped ruled and ornamental bands, strapwork, and floral ornaments, gilt-stamped floral ornaments, and ornamental bands with titling on the spines. All edges gilt, with bright yellow coated endpapers. Some occasional mild foxing. Two volumes are a tiny bit shaken, but still quite sound. The bindings are remarkably fresh and bright, with negligible rubbing to the corners and tips; else a very good set. Provenance: from the Publishers' Bookbindings collection of Ellen K. Morris and Edward S. Levin. Very good. Item #80932
Price: $200.00