Search Results: Irish Literature from Quercus Rare Books

London: Hurst & Blackett Publishers, Successors to Henry Colburn, 1865. Irish novelist Julia Kavanagh (1824-1877) resided most of her life in France; her works, of which this is the eighth published, have a French sensibility. There is no publication date given, but the First Edition (1858) was issued in three volumes; Quercus therefore assumes this to be an issue from some time after the First, but the date assignation is speculative at best; and no help is offered by the online catalogs. This is a VeryGood (Plus) to Near Fine copy, presented in an attractive fine binding. Marbled boards and page ends; green leather spine and tips; ruled with gilt; five raised bands on the spine. Clean text; 431 pages. Armorial bookplate on the front paste-down Size: 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. First Thus.. Half-Leather. Very Good Plus/No Jacket.

London: David Nutt, 1914. Ireland's mythic hero Cuchulain led the Cattle-Raid at Cooley. This is a Very Good copy of the First Edition - "Now for the first time entire into English out of the Irish of the Book of Leinster and Allied Manuscripts." Green cloth binding with titling and a Celtic device inblack on the front cover; titling in gilt on the spine. Clean text; 382 pages. Guide to Pronunciation and Index. "With two pages in facsimile of the manuscripts." Textblock nicely bright and clear. Light fade around the margins; page ends browned; mild bumping. A solid copy and a joy to read today. In an archival plastic protector.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

New York & Cincinnati: Fr. Pustet & Company, 1873. A tale of Irish immigration to America, issued as part of the "Irish National Library" to appeal to the diaspora. Nothing is really known of the author; a few copies of the novel, but not this edition, are held by several institutions. Extremely scarce in the trade. This is a Fair copy only. The decorative binding is rubbed and faded and the spine is mostly perished, but not disbound; the webbing is exposed but holding. Internally the text is clean and quite readable, somewhat tanned. Evidence of several owners at different dates, with three signatures in the front, one to the rear endpapers (Quercus speculates that the book was passed around the immigrant community). 245 pages, with four pages of publisher's adverts. Please note the condition issues. Quercus offers this as a Binding Copy, in need of repair or restoration. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. First Thus.. Hard Cover. Fair/No Jacket.

New York: John Douglas, 1848. Richard Lalor Shiel (1791-1851) is remembered mainly for his oratory and political activities; he was a strong supporter of Daniel O'Connell. He also was a successful playwright. Here is one of the plays that made his reputation, first performed at Covent Garden in 1817. [The Introduction here says 1816] This is a Very Good copy of a later American Edition [LoC has the title in an edition dated1844, with a different publisher]. Part of this publisher's series "Modern Standard Drama" (No. LVII). A scarce title, Not in COPAC. This is a full acting version, with costumes and stage business provided. Softbound, in yellow sewn paper wraps, with titling in black. The rear cover lists the plays in the series, while the inside advertised another series: "The Minor Drama." Clean text; iv, 59 pages. Light soiling, but missing a section of the cover [it appears to have been neatly clipped off, with no loss to the titling].. First American Edition.. Soft… Read More

Dublin: George Faulkner, 1758. This is a Very Good copy of Volume IX only of the Author's Works. First Edition Thus - containing Letters which "were never before printed in this Kingdom." Included: Letters to Governor Hunter; the History of the last Session of Parliament, and the Peace of Utrecht, 1713; The Craftsman of December 12, 1730 and the Answer thereto; and "A Treatise on Good Manners and Breeding." Quarter-bound dark leather spine and tips. Four raised bands on the spine; ruled and titled in gilt. Clean text; 310 pages; then pages numbered to 44. The last page has a calalog of Faulkner's publications. Clean text; the textblock is very bright and supple - a pleasure to read. All page ends are marbled. Rubbing to the margins; split to top of spine edge. A decent copy of an early Irish edition; the book presents quite well.. First Thus. Quarter-Leather. Very Good (Plus)/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

Dublin: The Talbot Press, 1908. Robert Dwyer Joyce (1830-1883) was a physician and noted Irish collector of traditional music (he wrote, as well; e.g., "The Wind That Shakes the Barley"). Originally published in Boston in 1872, this is a reissue with additions by his more-famous brother, Patrick Westin Joyce (1827-1914). First Edition Thus, a Very Good (Plus) to Near Fine copy, issued as part of "The New Era Library." This is an uncommon title, and raely seen in nice condition. Green cloth binding, blindstamped with rules and a Celtic knot on the front cover. Lettering on the spine filled with gilt. There is no publication date, but per Copac, Quercus asigns it to 1908, which seems about right. Clean text; x., 212 pages; Index in the front serves also as the Table of Contents. Mildly bumped, and with very light soiling; foxing is confined to endpapers. A very nice addition to collections of music, folklore, or the Irish Revival. Size: 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾"… Read More

New York: D. & J. Sadlier & Co., 1872. This is a Very Good (Plus) set of the Works of Michael Banim (1796-1874) and his brother/collaborator John (1798-1842). Several of the collaborative works were first published anonymously as "The O'Hara Family." Although very popular during the 19th Century, their works are uncommon today.This set is missing Volume II, but all others are present and complete. Most are dated 1869, but one is dated 1872, and Quercus accepts that as the publication year for the set. Quarter-bound with marbled paper and green leather spine and tips; five raised bands on the spines, which are also ruled; gilt titling and decorations. Although rubbed at the margins, all are in very sound condition, and remain attractive as a set. The texts are in excellent condition: bright, clear, almost completely free of foxing. All have the small bookplate of "Rev. John J. Duffy, D.D." on the front paste-downs. The Title Pages bear a stamp from a Paulist Retreat, St.… Read More

New York: Bunce & Brother, 1855. Brougham (1814-1880) was a noted Irish-American actor and the author of almost 100 plays; he collaborated with Dion Boucicault for "London Assurance." These are humorous essays, along the lines of Mark Twain. A Very Good copy of the First Edition. Brown cloth decorative covers, embossed, with (somewhat faded) gilt spine lettering. Showing edgewear, and rubbing at the foot of the spine. Clean text; 408 pages, with mild foxing; still bright and supple, easily read. There is a small chip that affects the edge of two front endpapers. Lightly-penciled previous-owner signature on the FFEP and faint notations on one front endpaper and the Title Page. A decent copy of a scarce title (with only one institutional holding) from an important figure in 19th Century theatrical history. No dustjacket; in an archival plastic protector. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. First Edition.. Hard Cover. Very Good/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" -… Read More

New York & Montreal: D. & J. Sadlier & Co., 1879. First published in 1861; this is a Very Good copy from a Later Printing..Despite Mrs. Sadlier's popularity, this title is uncommon. Green cloth binding, deoratively blindstamped with the designation "Parlor & Cottage Library." Titling in gilt on the spine. Clean text; iv, 316 pages. Frontis illustration, and with a charmingly illustrated half-title. Bumping and rubbing to the margins; gilt on spine remains nicely bright. Page ends darkened, and with some stains from pages 22 to 27. The gutters have cracked, but have been reinforced with linen tape. These faults do not keep it from being a basically sound copy.. Later Printing. Decorative Cloth. Very Good/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

New York: D. & J. Sadlier & Co., 1885. Mrs. Sadlier first published this novel, written to be instructive to "Irish working girls" in 1861. This is a Very Good copy from a Later Printing. Despite Mrs. Sadlier's popularity, this title is less common than would be expected. Brown decorative cloth binding, heavily stamped on the covers. Titling in gilt on the spine and front cover. Clean text;; iv, 316 pages. Very Good condition. Mildly bumped, with rubbing to the margins; slight lean. The gilt is quite faint.. Later Printing. Decorative Cloth. Very Good/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

Philadelphia: E.L. Carey & A. Hart, 1838. John Banim (1798-1842) and Michael Banim (1796-1874) have been called the "first national authors of Ireland" due to their more naturalistic writing of a people too often the subject of characterture. They wrote both individually and in collaboration, originally anonymously, as in this volume, under the pseudonym of "the O'Hara Family." These are Very Good Plus to Near Fine copies of the First American Edition (no precedence established with the English edition). Extremely scarce. Tan paper-covered boards with faded cloth spines (probably originally a purple, which in its 19th-century version was prone to fade to brown or tan). Very light soiling and mildly bumped. The fragile paper labels are rubbed but mostly there and readable. The text is clean, with mild bits of foxing throughout. Volume One (204 pages) is a bit brighter than Volume Two (216 pages). These are superior copies of an important and rare title. Size: 12mo - over… Read More

New York: John B. Alden, 1884. Sketches and legends of Ireland, edited by Robert Shelton Mackenzie (1809-1880). Originally published by Redfield in 1854, this popular and well-written book has been published in fifteen editions (per WorldCat); several different publishers issued it in the 1870s & 1880s. This copy is in Very Good condition. Green cloth binding with gilt lettering on the spine. Clean text; 426 pages. Laid-in is a map of Ireland "Engraved for Harper's Handbook," in respectable condition: folded, some of the creases have opened. Some penciled notations: in the front, a previous-owner signature; in the rear, in the same handwriting, is a quotation from Daniel O'Connell. Rubbing at the margins and moderate soiling; still, a solid copy if not a beautiful one. Size: 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. Later Printing.. Hard Cover. Very Good/No Jacket.

Chicago & St.Louis: Belford, Clarke & Co, 1882. Sketches and legends of Ireland, edited by Robert Shelton Mackenzie (1809-1880). Originally published by Redfield in 1854, this popular and well-written book has been published in fifteen editions (per WorldCat); several different publishers issued it in the 1870s & 1880s. A Good Plus only copy. Attractive blue cloth binding with decorations in black and gilt. Text is bright and fresh. But there is rubbing at the head and foot of the spine; the corners are bumped and starting to fray; and the front and rear free endpapers have been removed. No DJ. In an archival plastic protector. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Later Printing.. Hard Cover. Good Plus/Near Fine.

London & Belfast: Simms & M'Intyre, 1847. William Carleton (1794-1869), product of an Irish hedge school and his auto-didact tenant-farmer father, was controversial in his time. An Anglican convert, he was anti-Roman Catholic and consequently anti-nationalist. A significant, if uneven author, he published his first book in 1830 and died in alcoholic poverty.This is a Good only copy of the First Edition. Although well-held institutionally, this is a rare title in the trade. Identified as part of the publisher's "Parlour Library." Light green illustrated paper boards, with the spine mostly demolished (although fragile, the book is holding well. Clean text; 320 pages, nicely clear and unfoxed. Boards are bumped and rubbed, and although the book is in fragile condition, it is a remarkable survivor that deserves a nice rebind. Please note the condition issues; Quercus must offer this as a Binding Copy, in need of repair or restoration. . First Edition. Pictorial Cover. Good/No… Read More

New York: P.J. Kenedy & Sons, 1875. Mary Anne (Madden) Sadlier (1820-1903) wrote some sixty novels. Married to the prominent Irish Catholic publisher (who published his wife's work), she was pro-Catholic and sympathetic to the nationalist cause . Oddly, this was first published by Dufy in Dublin (1855,) and by Kenedy a year later. This is a Near Fine copy of a Later Printing. There is no publication date, so Quercus has rather arbitrarily assigned it to 1875. Light green cloth binding. Ruled in black on the front cover, with titling and decorative shamrocks in a darker green; the same treatment is on the spine. Clean text; vi, 391 pages. There is a tiny bookseller stamp on the Title Page, else a Fine copy. No dustjacket; in an archival plastic protector.. Later Printing. Hard Cover. Near Fine/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

Dublin: James Duffy and Co. Ltd., 1855. Mary Anne (Madden) Sadlier (1820-1903) wrote some sixty novels. Married to the prominent Irish Catholic publisher (who published his wife's work), she was pro-Catholic and sympathetic to the nationalist cause. This is a Very Good copy of the First Edition; originally published in a periodical, "The American Celt.". Scarce. Green cloth binding, stamped rather typically with an Irish harp, and filled with gilt. Spine is spomewhat darkened, but the gilt lettering is legible.There is no publication date, but the Preface, dated 1855, is accepted by bibliographers. Clean text; 387 pages. Previous-owner name on the Title Page. Mildly bumped, and there is a 2" split at the rear top of the spine, which could be reglued. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. First Edition.. Hard Cover. Very Good/No Jacket.

Paris: Baudry's European Library, 1841. Dublin-born, and not wealthy, Lady Sidney Owenson Morgan (1776 to 1781-1859) was one of the most interesting literary figures of her time, both wildly popular ("The Wild Irish Girl," 1806) and well-criticized. She had her revenge; her critics sometimes became rather nasty characters in her novels. Cagey about her exact age, contemporary portraits reveal her to be a great beauty of the day. She was perhaps a social climber; if so, she was rather good at it. Here is one of her later works, part of Baudry's "Collection of Ancient and Modern British Authors." Rare. This is a Very Good (Plus) copy of the First Edition. (Although in English, it was published in Paris, as many of Morgan's works were.) Marbled paper-covered boards, with leather tips and spine; gilt titling and decorations on the spine: "Baudry's Collection. 312. Lady Morgan. Book Without A Name." Clean text; vi, 375 pages. Stamp from previous-owner on the… Read More

Paris: A. And W. Galignani, 1829. Dublin-born, and not wealthy, Lady Sidney Owenson Morgan (1776 to 1781-1859) was one of the most interesting literary figures of her time, both wildly popular ("The Wild Irish Girl," 1806) and well-criticized. She had her revenge; her critics sometimes became rather nasty characters in her novels. Cagey about her exact age, contemporary portraits reveal her to be a great beauty of the day. She was perhaps a social climber; if so, she was rather good at it. This is a Near Fine copy of the First Edition. A scarce book; most copies seen are two separate volumes. Although published in Paris, the book is in written in English; her "To the Reader" makes clear that the book is intended as light reading such as might be found in a lady's boudoir, and was published through her publisher's entreaty. Perhaps he knew his market! Clean text; 268 pages. Extremely bright and clear; Quercus believes the paper has been conserved, probably at the time it was… Read More

Philadelphia: William B. Evans, 1871. A book of jokes made at the expense of the Irish; proving one man's wit is another's misfortune, and a good example of the prejudice facing the Irish immigrants in their new home. No author is listed, but the Preface is signed "C.C.B.," identified by bibliographers as Charles Carroll Bombaugh (1828-1906). This is a Very Good Plus copy of the First Edition. Brown cloth binding, ruled, with gilt lettering on the spine; the front cover has a gilt still life featuring a Dunce's cap. There is some smudging on the copyright page and the table of contents page, otherwise a very clean text; 212 pages. The pages are printed with red ruling. Very little wear, a bit rubbed at the margins. Size: 16mo - over 5¾" - 6¾" tall. First Edition.. Hard Cover. Very Good Plus/No Jacket. 16mo - over 5¾" - 6¾" tall.

Dublin & London: James Duffy, 1869. Denis MacCarthy (1817-1882) wrote patriotic verse for "The Nation," but his fame was dependent upon his translations from the Spanish. This is a Very Good copy of the First Edition Thus, "A New Edition, Revised and Corrected, with Additional Poems and a Preface." (It was originally published in the 1840s, and is uncommon.) Bright green decorative cloth blindstamped with an Irish harp on the front cover; filled with gilt. Clean text; 256 pages. Text is bright and unfoxed. Two small stamps by a previous owner. A cute little volume. Size: 16mo - over 5¾" - 6¾" tall. First Thus.. Decorative Cloth. Very Good/No Jacket.