Henry James first edition books
Highly collectible Modern First Editions by the American novelist, short-story writer, and critic Henry James (1843-1916). A major figure in the history of the novel, James is celebrated as a master craftsman who brought great art and fine perception to bear in the development of his abiding themes: the relationship between innocence and experience, especially as exemplified by the differences between the exuberant but uncultured Americans and the highly cultivated Europeans whose civilisation was on the decline; the dilemma of the artist in an alien society; and the achievement of self-knowledge.
Collect Henry James Modern First Editions
Many consider The Portrait of a Lady, to be one of the finest novels of the English Language and prices for a first edition remain high to reflect this. Other titles to watch out for are The Wings of the Dove, The Ambassadors, and The Golden Bowl as well as his short stories The Beast in the Jungle.
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12 volumes, First editions in this format, first impressions throughout; 8vo; some typical, albeit mild, spotting to the fore edges and occasional oxidisation to the spine lettering of a few volumes; publisher's grey cloth, titles to spines gilt on purple ground, purple topstains, with the dust jackets. Withal an exceptional set in the dust jackets which show mild, even tanning at the spines.
£950 -
First edition, first printing, first state binding (the gilt stamp to the foot of the spine bearing publisher's name 'J.R.Osgood & Co' without a full stop); 8vo; some marginal toning, contents separating a little; publisher's terracotta cloth, spine darkened, rubbed at corners and along joints, a few marks and scuffs, a little frayed and nicked at spine ends; [2 (blank), 7], 496 pp.
£950 -
First UK edition, 8vo., one of 4000, one corner crease to page 9, otherwise very good, modern full blue morocco, one-line gilt-panelled back, floral Japanese endpapers, a very handsome copy.
£550 -
26 volumes, 8vo., copy of the 1907 edition, Preface by the Author, modern half navy-blue morocco with maroon letting pieces gilt, foliate endpapers and all edges gilt, a fine set.
£7,500 -
First edition, one of 750 copies, 8vo, publisher's advertisements at end of vol. II & III, green endpapers, labels of Exeter bookbinder A.L. Noake on upper pastedowns, small stamps of same on half-titles, hinges repaired, original blue-green fine-bead cloth, covers with black fillet borders, spines lettered in gilt, expert, minor repairs to cloth of spines, a few gatherings crudely opened, further slight wear to edges and corners of bindings, minor marks to covers, overall an attractive copy, preserved in matching solander box.
£8,500
