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c. 1940s: Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson, Art-Type Edition
Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson is a classic adventure novel set in Scotland during the 18th century. The story follows the young protagonist, David Balfour, as he is kidnapped and sold into slavery by his greedy uncle. He manages to escape and meets a rebel named Alan Breck Stewart, who becomes his ally and helps him reclaim his inheritance. Together, they embark on a dangerous journey across the Scottish Highlands, facing various obstacles and enemies along the way.
This vintage edition of Kidnapped, published in the 1940s, features a grey hardcover cloth with printing and lettering on the cover and spine. The book shows signs of wear and fading due to age, but is in good condition overall. It is signed by a previous owner on the inner front cover, dated Christmas 1943, and includes a faded stamp of St. Andrew’s Sunday School.
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1925: The Bible Story, from the American Standard Edition of the Revised Bible, ed. by Jennie Ellis Burdick
The Bible Story is a vintage edition of the American Standard Edition of the Revised Bible, edited by Jennie Ellis Burdick. The book features special sections by Henry H. Forsyth, D.D. and Maud Junkin Baldwin. The hardcover volume is green in color and has an impressed ornamentation and lettering on the cover and spine. Although there is some wear to the cover and fading of the spine due to age, the book is well-bound and in good condition. The pages have slightly yellowed due to age, but there is no other writing or markings in the book.
One of the highlights of this book is its wonderful illustrations throughout. It includes reproductions of classic works of art, drawings, and engravings that bring the stories of the Bible to life. This vintage edition is a great addition to any collection and provides a unique perspective on the Bible with its special sections by Forsyth and Baldwin.
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1920: La Legende de Guillaume D’Orange, by P. Tuffrau, published by L’Edition D’Art
La Legende de Guillaume D’Orange is a classic work by P. Tuffrau, published by L’Edition D’Art in Paris in 1920. This 27th edition is a beautiful hardcover volume with marbled front and back panels, and a leather spine with gilt ornamentation and lettering. Although there is some wear on the cover due to its age, the book is tightly bound, clean, and in remarkably good shape. The deckled fore-edges and marbled inner cover pages add to the book’s charm.
This book is a legendary tale of Guillaume D’Orange, a knight who fought against the Saracens in the 8th century. The book is signed on the first empty page, with the signature dating back to 1928. This antique copy of the classic work is a true collector’s item and would make a wonderful gift for anyone interested in French literature and history.
$425.00 -
1870s Set of 2: Swiss Family Robinson by John Lovell, and The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
This set of two rare antique editions from the 1870s includes The Swiss Family Robinson by John Lovell and The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe. The Swiss Family Robinson is a translated and edited version of Stahl’s “Nouveau Robinson Suisse” with numerous illustrations, while The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe is the classic tale of a mariner’s adventures as related by himself, with over one hundred illustrations. Both books are hardcover volumes bound in blue bubble-grain cloth with leather spine and corners, and gilt ornamentation and lettering on covers and spine. Despite some wear to the cover and spine, the books are well-bound and clean, with only minor foxing on titular pages and minor fading throughout. The books are in remarkably good condition for their age and would make a wonderful addition to any collection.
$725.00 -
1880s: Missy and Master, a Story for Girls, by M. Bramston
Missy and Master is a story for girls written by M. Bramston and published in the 1880s under the direction of The Committee of General Literature and Education appointed by The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge in London. The book is a 224-page hardcover volume with a grey cloth cover and black printing and gilt lettering on the cover and spine. The book shows some signs of wear due to its age, including slight yellowing and fading of the pages and a slight forward tilt.
The book contains a signature on the front black page that reads “Kathleen Mewburn. With Aunt Emily’s love. Xmas 1889.” There are no other writing or markings in the book. Missy and Master is a wonderful antique edition that would make a great gift for anyone interested in historical literature for children.
$65.00 -
1815 First Edition: Laurence’s Sterne’s Works, volume I
Laurence Sterne’s works, volume one of a four-volume set. The volume includes Sterne’s famous works such as The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gent. and A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy, as well as sermons, letters, and a life of the author written by himself. The book is beautifully bound in leather with ornamentation and lettering on the cover and spine, though there is some wear due to its age. The inner cover has been rebound in 1997, and the volume is tightly bound and clean with writing. However, there is some fading and foxing on the pages due to the book’s advanced age. The book also contains beautiful engravings, making it a wonderful addition to any collection of antique books.
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c. 1888: The Black Arrow, A Tale of Two Roses, by Robert Luis Stevenson
The Black Arrow is a historical fiction novel written by Robert Louis Stevenson and published in 1888. The story is set in the late 15th century during the Wars of the Roses, a period of political turmoil in England. The novel follows the adventures of a young man named Richard Shelton, who becomes embroiled in a conspiracy to overthrow the current ruler, King Edward IV. Along the way, he falls in love with a woman named Joanna Sedley and must navigate the treacherous political landscape to protect himself and his loved ones. The book is illustrated by J.K. Maxton and is considered a collectible antique due to its soft cover burgundy leather binding with gilt lettering and ornamentation on the spine, as well as its almost pristine condition.
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1937: Pillars of Society, by A.G. Gardiner, The Wayfarer’s Library
Pillars of Society details the notable figures of society at the time of writing in 1916. The book features a softcover orange leather volume with gilt ornamentation on the front cover and spine, with some wear and scratching on the cover and spine. The book is owner inscribed in fading ink on the inside front cover, and there is a small spot from a price sticker on the back cover. While there is separation from the spine at the title page, all pages are present and intact, with no writing or markings in the book aside from the signature. Some slight fading to pages is present due to the passage of time.
The book lists the “Pillars of Society” at the time of writing, which included notable figures such as King George V, President Woodrow Wilson, and Mr. Andrew Carnegie, among others. The book provides insight into the influential individuals of the time and their impact on society.
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1919: Hygiene for Young People, a Reader for Pupils in Form III on the Public Schools, by A. P. Knight
Hygiene for Young People is a non-fiction book written by A. P. Knight, a Professor of Physiology at Queen’s University in Kingston. The book was published in 1919 and recommended by the Minister of Education for use in school libraries in Ontario. The book is intended for pupils in Form III on public schools and provides information on hygiene and health practices.
The book is a historical artifact with a grey hardcover cloth volume and black lettering on the cover and spine. The wear, staining, and fading on the cover are due to heavy use and the passage of time. The book belonged to Jack Dudgeon, as signed on various pages, and has some fingerprints and dog ears throughout.
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1909: The Foreigner, A Tale of Saskatchewan, by Ralph Connor
The Foreigner, A Tale of Saskatchewan by Ralph Connor, published in 1909 by The Westminster Company in Toronto. The book is set in Saskatchewan and follows the story of a foreigner who comes to settle in the area. The red hardcover cloth volume has some wear, rubbing, and fading due to use and the passage of time. The book contains an old note from D. A. Scott, General Merchant and Produce Dealer, made out to a Mrs. J. Foster by Gladys S. for the purchase of dog bread, brown sugar, and other items. The inside cover is inscribed in black ink “To Grandpa From [?] Hackett, Xmas 1959.”
The book is a classic Canadian novel that provides a glimpse into the early settlement of Saskatchewan. The novel explores themes of immigration, identity, and belonging. The book is a valuable piece of Canadian literature that captures the spirit of the time and provides insight into the experiences of early settlers in Canada.
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1913: Tales of Hoffman Retold From Offenbach’s Opera by Cyril Falls & Illustrated by A. Brantingham Simpson
Tales of Hoffman Retold From Offenbach’s Opera is a classic book that retells the famous opera by Jacques Offenbach. Written by Cyril Falls and illustrated by A. Brantingham Simpson, R.O.I, the book was published by Chatto & Windus in London in 1913. The book is a hardcover cloth volume with ornamentation and gilt lettering on the cover and spine. It has 164 pages with deckled fore-edges and top edges gilt.
Although the book has some minor wear and fading to the spine, it is a high-quality publication with thick paper and excellent print. The volume is tightly bound and very clear, with no writing anywhere in the book.
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1928 – Creative Young Canada: Collection of Verse, Drawings and Musical Compositions by Young Canadians from Seven to Twenty Years of Age
Creative Young Canada is a collection of poetry, drawings, and musical compositions by young Canadians aged seven to twenty. Edited by Aletta E. Marty and with a foreword by Agnes Delamoure, this book was published by J.M. Dent & Sons, Ltd in Toronto in 1928. The hardcover cloth volume features black ornamentation and lettering on the cover and spine, with some wear and fading present, especially around the spine. The deckled fore-edges and wear throughout the book give it a vintage feel.
This book provides a glimpse into the creative minds of young Canadians in the late 1920s. The collection showcases the talent and imagination of the youth in Canada, with poetry ranging from lighthearted and whimsical to deeply introspective. The drawings and musical compositions add another layer of creativity to the collection, making it a unique and valuable piece of Canadian literary history. The owner signature on the inside cover adds a personal touch and raises questions about the previous owner, Connie Starr, and their connection to the book.
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1880s: The Complete Works of Henry Fielding, in 3 volumes, with Thomas Roscoe and George Cruikshank
This three-volume set of “The Complete Works of Henry Fielding” includes all of the author’s novels, plays, and miscellaneous writings, as well as a memoir of the author by Thomas Roscoe. The set is illustrated with twenty etchings of steel by George Cruikshank and was published by Bell and Daldy in London in the midto late 1800s. The volumes are bound in brown leather with five raised bands on the spine and gilt lettering on paper inserts (missing from volume III). The set is in very good condition, with marbled endpapers and some foxing on the endpapers. The edges are gilt on top, with deckles fore edges and untrimmed bottom edges. There is some rubbing and wear around the edges of the cover boards and spine folds, but no writing or other markings in the book.
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Early 1900s: The Pilgrim’s Progress, by John Bunyan – Religious Tract Society
This book is a reprint of the classic religious allegory, The Pilgrim’s Progress, written by John Bunyan in the 17th century. The story follows the journey of Christian, a man who sets out from his hometown, the City of Destruction, to reach the Celestial City. Along the way, he faces various obstacles and temptations, but ultimately perseveres with the help of fellow pilgrims and divine intervention. The book is presented in the form of a dream, and is meant to convey spiritual truths and lessons to the reader.
This particular edition of The Pilgrim’s Progress was published by The Religious Tract Society in London, and features eight original illustrations by Harold Copping. The book is housed in a red cloth hardcover with some wear and staining on the front and back cover, and a prize plate on the inside opposite cover dated April 10th, 1931. Despite its age, the book is well bound and has no markings or writing inside.
$95.00 -
Pre-1920s: Poems by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Poems by Ella Wheeler Wilcox is a collection of poems by American poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox. The book was published by Gay and Hancock, Limited in London and contains 413 pages. Although the book is undated, there is an ink inscription on the half title page dated to Jan 23, 1920. The volume is a softcover in burgundy leather with gilt lettering on the cover and spine. There is some moderate wear consistent with age, including a small tear on the bottom of the spine. The cover is separating from the book body due to a tear in the end papers, but this is mendable. The body of the book is clean, well-bound, and in very good condition. All page edges are gilt. This book is a beautiful antique volume and would make a perfect gift for a poetry lover.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox was a popular American poet in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for her optimistic and inspirational poems. This collection of her work includes some of her most famous poems, such as “Solitude” and “Laugh, and the World Laughs With You.” The book is a testament to the enduring popularity of Wilcox’s work, as well as a glimpse into the world of poetry in the early 20th century. Poems by Ella Wheeler Wilcox is a fascinating and beautiful volume that would make a great addition to any poetry lover’s collection.
$295.00 -
1917 Set of 5: Copp Clarke Literature Series Midsummer’s Night Dream, The Tempest, Nine Poems, Four Poems, Goldsmith & Longfellow
This is a set of 5 volumes from The Copp Clarke Literature Series, edited by O.J. Stevenson, M.A., D. Paed. The first volume, “Four Poems,” includes works by Goldsmith, Tennyson, Wordsworth, and Gray. There are written ink and pencil annotations throughout the book and back inside cover. The second volume, “Selections from Goldsmith and Longfellow,” is signed by Karen Dempsey and Caldwater P School on the insider front cover. The third and fourth volumes are both from the Canadian School Shakespeare series, with “The Tempest” and “A Midsummer-night’s Dream” respectively. The former is almost as good as new, while the latter has some pencil underlining and annotations throughout. Both volumes are signed by previous owners on the inside front cover. The last volume, “Nine Poems from Goldsmith, Browning, Tennyson, Arnold,” is heavily annotated throughout and has minor dog bite markings. It is signed by several people on the inside front cover, and contains several added sheets of class notes and tests by Harold Dempsey and Myrtle Olafson.
$75.00 -
1929: The Glory That Was Greece A Survey of Hellenic Culture and Civilisation, by J.C. Stobart
The Glory That Was Greece is a comprehensive survey of Hellenic culture and civilization, written by J.C. Stobart and published in 1929. The book covers a wide range of topics, including Greek art, literature, philosophy, religion, politics, and daily life. Stobart draws on a wealth of primary sources to provide a detailed and engaging account of ancient Greece, from the Minoan civilization to the Hellenistic period.
The book is beautifully illustrated and printed on high-quality paper, making it a stunning volume to own and read. While some wear and rubbing is evident on the cover boards, the book is otherwise in good condition. This is a must-read for anyone interested in Greek history and culture, and a valuable resource for scholars and students alike.
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1932: The Path of the King, by John Buchan
The Path of the King by John Buchan is a historical fiction novel set in the 6th century, following the story of a young man named Colgrim who rises to power and becomes a king. The novel explores themes of leadership, loyalty, and sacrifice as Colgrim navigates the treacherous political landscape of his time. Along the way, he encounters a cast of memorable characters, including a wise old monk and a fierce warrior princess.
This vintage edition of the book is a beautiful miniature hardcover volume, complete with gilt ornamentation and lettering on the cover and spine. Despite some wear and tear, it remains in good condition and would make a wonderful addition to any book collection.
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1926: Dornoch Cathedral and Parish, by the Rev. Charles D. Bentinck, with illustrations and maps
Dornoch Cathedral and Parish, written by the Rev. Charles D. Bentinck, with a chapter on the architectural history of the Cathedral by W. Douglas Simpson. The book was published in 1926 by The Northern Counties Newspaper and Printing and Publishing Company, limited. The book is a comprehensive guide to the history and architecture of Dornoch Cathedral and Parish. It includes detailed illustrations and maps, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of Dornoch Cathedral and Parish.
The book is a large volume with grey boards and a black leather spine with gilt lettering. Despite moderate wear to the cover and water staining on the top that reaches through the first 10-15 pages, the book is in very good condition. The book is tightly bound and clean, with no other writing or markings. The top edges are gilt, and the fore-edges are deckled.
$150.00 -
1924: Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, by Mary Mapes Dodge
Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates is a classic children’s novel by Mary Mapes Dodge, first published in 1865. The story is set in the Netherlands and follows the adventures of Hans Brinker, a young boy who dreams of winning a pair of silver skates in a local skating race. Along the way, Hans and his family face many challenges, including poverty, illness, and the loss of a loved one. Despite these obstacles, Hans remains determined to achieve his goal and help his family. The novel is a heartwarming tale of perseverance, family, and the power of hope.
This early edition of Hans Brinker features many drawings by Louis Rhead and is in a very good condition for its age. The cloth hardcover volume has a paper illustration on the cover, and while there is some wear and rubbing present on the cover, including the corners, there is no writing in the book. Some minor foxing, as well as fading/yellowing to pages due to age is present, as well occasional vintage fingerprints throughout the book. The thick, quality paper and top edges painted yellow add to the charm of this classic novel.