Click for full-size.
The Evil Genius
by Wilkie Collins
- Used
- near fine
- first
- Condition
- Near Fine
- Seller
-
BATH, Somerset, United Kingdom
Item Price
NZ$6,699.20NZ$6,029.28
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
London: Chatto and Windus, 1886. First edition. Fine Binding. Near Fine. 7.5" by 5". None. A finely bound, scarce first edition set of Wilkie Collins' stereotype breaking novel, 'The Evil Genius'. A very scarce first edition of this work. The first edition in book form, as this work was previously serialised in the 'Leigh Journal and Times' and the 'Bolton Weekly Journal'. Rebound, in a beautifully fine half calf binding. Bound in to the start and rear of the work is the original cloth from the boards and spine. Collins is probably best known for 'The Woman in White' and 'The Moonstone'. The latter is regarded as the first modern detective novel.Publisher's adverts to the rear of volume III, dated 'May 1886'. 'The Evil Genius' is one of Collins's 'mission' novels. It is an exploration of divorce and child-custody laws with a strong focus on the effect of divorce on young children. The subject has been regarded as ahead of its time as it portrayed the wife and mistress in a sympathetic light and mostly focussed on the plight of the child. The mother-in-law in this situation is the 'evil genius' from the title. A wonderful example of this scarce work by a celebrated late Victorian author. In a half calf binding, with paper covered boards. Externally, an excellent condition with no shelfwear. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright. Minor offsetting to the half title of volume I and to the final leaf. Archival tape repair to the fore-edge of the half-title and title page. Pages are otherwise bright with just the odd spots. Near Fine
Synopsis
The gentlemen of the jury retired to consider their verdict.
Reviews
(Log in or Create an Account first!)
Details
- Bookseller
- Rooke Books
(GB)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 737L18
- Title
- The Evil Genius
- Author
- Wilkie Collins
- Illustrator
- None
- Format/Binding
- Fine Binding
- Book Condition
- Used - Near Fine
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- First edition
- Publisher
- Chatto and Windus
- Place of Publication
- London
- Date Published
- 1886
- Size
- 7.5" by 5"
- Keywords
- Wilkie Collins Woman in White Moonstone Woman in White
Terms of Sale
Rooke Books
Books are sent on approval and may be returned in like condition for any reason within 14 days of receipt. Responsibility of return to be with the purchaser.
About the Seller
Rooke Books
Biblio member since 2007
BATH, Somerset
About Rooke Books
Welcome to Rooke Books Antiquarian Bookseller
We are a small team dedicated to bringing you very scarce books at reasonable prices. We specialise in rare and hard to come by works on all subjects over the last 500 years, together with modern first editions and decorative sets and bindings. Our library has something for every interest and specialism. We deliver worldwide using a fully tracked and insured courier delivery service.
Where are We?
Based in the literary city of Bath, our offices are housed in the Eastern Dispensary. Built in 1845, the building originally existed as a charitable institution providing medical care. The building now houses our collection of over twenty thousand books and has five full time members of staff.
We are a small team dedicated to bringing you very scarce books at reasonable prices. We specialise in rare and hard to come by works on all subjects over the last 500 years, together with modern first editions and decorative sets and bindings. Our library has something for every interest and specialism. We deliver worldwide using a fully tracked and insured courier delivery service.
Where are We?
Based in the literary city of Bath, our offices are housed in the Eastern Dispensary. Built in 1845, the building originally existed as a charitable institution providing medical care. The building now houses our collection of over twenty thousand books and has five full time members of staff.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Title Page
- A page at the front of a book which may contain the title of the book, any subtitles, the authors, contributors, editors, the...
- Spine
- The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
- Cloth
- "Cloth-bound" generally refers to a hardcover book with cloth covering the outside of the book covers. The cloth is stretched...
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- Half Title
- The blank front page which appears just prior to the title page, and typically contains only the title of the book, although, at...
- Shelfwear
- Minor wear resulting from a book being place on, and taken from a bookshelf, especially along the bottom edge.
- Calf
- Calf or calf hide is a common form of leather binding. Calf binding is naturally a light brown but there are ways to treat the...
- Fine Binding
- An elaborate and decorative binding, example including a leather-bound book with gilt edges, raised blind stamps, raised ribs,...
Frequently asked questions
This Book’s Categories
Positive Representation Matters
Books transmit cultural values and can shape the views of society. Learn more about the history of American literature in Collecting Children’s Literature by Writers and Educators of the Harlem Renaissance.
Mary Shelley - Mother of Science Fiction
“I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you would not believe. If I cannot satisfy the one, I will indulge the other.” - Learn more about Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein
