Search Results: Self Improvement from Quercus Rare Books

New York: R. Worthington, 1878. George Baker (1849-1906) wrote this cute treatise on the etiquette of New York, with a sort of anti-Mrs Grundy take. Originally published in 1875, it was reprinted several times by various publishers, but remains scarce on the market. This is a Very Good Plus copy. Blue cloth binding with a fancy stamped design on the front cover. Clean text; 173 pages. The spine and the front cover fore-edge have darkened, but the book remains attractive. Size: 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. Reprint.. Decorative Cloth. Very Good Plus/No Jacket.

New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company A humorous take on Etiquette, with tongue firmly in cheek, complete with charming illustrations by Wallace Goldsmith and E.E. Bird. From the Title Page: "An Up-to-date Manual of the Manners of Men and Women for Men and Women of Manners, and a Complete Catalogue of the Social Dues - and Most of the "Don'ts" - for all Diosciples of Deprotment."This is a Very Good (minus) copy of the First Edition. Yellow cloth decorative binding, stamped in black and red; titling in black on the spine. Clean text; 148 pages; some spotting to the endpapers. Contemporary (1911) signature on the FFEP. Bumped, rubbed at the margins; stains on the covers. Not a beauty, but a fun book nonetheless. First Edition. Decorative Cloth. Very Good (Minus)/No Jacket. Illus. by Wallace Goldsmith. 16mo - over 5¾" - 6¾" tall.

New York: The Butterick Publishing Company, [Limited], 1888. Published anonymously, this is the perfect Victorian handbook to improve your social skills. Very Good (Plus) copy of the First Edition. Dark brown cloth binding, with gilt titling on the front cover and spine. Clean text; 384 pages. Bumped, with light wear at the head and foot of the spine.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good (Plus)/No Jacket. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall.

New York: The Christian Herald, 1904. Margaret Sangster (1838-1912) was a well-known poet who focused on religious themes; the publisher here was viable from 1878 to 1992, with a charitable mission . This is a Very Good copy of the First Edition. Not common in the trade. Green decorative cloth binding with red ruling and a floral device on the front cover; titling in gilt on the spine and front cover. Clean text; frontis photograph of "Mrs. Sangster at Home" with several others within. Mildly rubbed at the margins, with some light spots to the front cover. . First Edition. Decorative Cloth. Very Good/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

Bridgeport: M. Sherman, 1828. Mary Martha Sherwood (1775-1851) was a prolific (some 400 works!) and very popular author of children's literature, mainly written from her evangelical Christian position. She was well-educated, having both Latin and Greek and (later) Hebrew. An educational reformer, she was profoundly anti-Catholic in her many tracts for the poor. Here are four volumes only of her "Lady of the Manor," which was written in a series starting in 1823. Uniform orange paper-covered boards with paper labels on the spines. Clean texts; included are Volume One (360 pages), Volume IV (360 pages), Volume V (300 pages), and Volume VII (394 pages). All volumes bear an 1828 date, and are generally in Very Good condition. All have frontis engravings which are typically foxed and have transfered to the Title Pages. Endpapers very well spotted. The label for Volume VII has been heavily rubbed. The publisher, Sherman, is unknown to Quercus; later, her American publisher was Harper. Quercus… Read More

Springfield & Des Moines: King, Richardson & Co., Publishers Originally published in 1890, this is a Very Good copy of a Later Printing from the year following that was "Sold only by our "Authorized Agents." Green pebbled cloth binding with blindstamped decoration (a pair of stylized hinges or clasps) and gilt lettering on the cover; gilt lettering on the spine, which has faded, but the heavy stamping renders it still clear. Clean text; 502 pages of instructions on all phases of domestic tasks and ettiquette. This book came with a printed presentation page, which has the name of the recipient, but lacks the possibly concerned gifter. Light wear, minor bumping. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Later Printing.. Decorative Cloth. Very Good/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

Springfield, Cincinnati, Dallas, Sacramento: King, Richardson & Co., Publishers, 1894. Originally published in 1890, this is a Very Good copy of a Later Printing from four years later. It was "Sold only by our Authorized Agents." Green pebbled cloth binding with blindstamped decoration (a pair of stylized hinges or clasps) and gilt titling on the front cover, quite faded but clear. The gilt on the spine is mostly gone. Clean text; 502 pages of instructions on all phases of domestic tasks and ettiquette. Front hinge is cracked but holding well. Minor rubbing and bumping. The front cover has blue splash marking, which lessens the attractiveness, although it is still in sound condition.. Later Printing. Hard Cover. Very Good (Minus)/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

Greenfield: Merriam & Mirick, 1846. Here is a lovely small volume dedicated to the health of the child, which seems to be quite "modern" in its attitudes on diet and exercise for a mid-nineteenth century volume. Published anonymously, and very scarce (no copies WorldCat or LoC). Very Good (Plus) condition. Dark brown cloth binding with decorative blindstamping. Bright gilt lettering on the front cover. Clean text; 84 pages. The text is especially bright and clear, with spotting confined to the endpapers. The corners are mildly bumped and there is a small area of bubbling on the front cover. An attractive volume. Size: 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. First Edition.. Decorative Cloth. Very Good Plus/No Jacket.

New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1881. Art critic John Ruskin (1819-1900) was one of the leading polymaths of the Victorian era, also writing frequently on social issues. This lovely book was "Compiled and Arranged by Mrs. Louisa C. Tuthill" and is a Very Good Plus copy. Later Printing of the First Edition. Tan cloth decorative binding, indstamped and filled with black and gilt. Clean text, still bright; 247 pages. Mildly bumped, a bit rubbed at the foot of the spine. Light soil to the covers. There is a small contemporary library sticker on the front paste-down. Uncommon, and not often seen in such nice condition; Quercus speculates that it was not checked out much by those young ladies for which it was intended! No dustjacket. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Later Printing.. Decorative Cloth. Near Fine/No Jacket.

San Francisco: Lane Publishing Co., 1945. 'this book is designed for those women whose idea of Utopia is an orderly, immaculate house, where delicious meals are effortlessly served..." Who would not desire such a situation? Although it must be admitted that men could accomplish this too. First published in 1941; this is a Very Good (Plus) to Near Fine copy of the Second Printing (stated February, 1945). Not a common book. Dark blue clooth binding with titling on the spine and front cover in silver. Clean text; 117 pages. Illustrated throughout by Florence Holub, Leo Holub, and Doris Michels. Endpapers illustrated as well. Mild rubbing to the margins, else a Fine copy.The dustjacket is Good only, due to a large chip affecting the rear panel and flap. It is unclipped and despite the noted defect, it remains an attractive copy. In a plastic protector. [N.b., due to a computer crash, this book may appear with the inventory number 000742]. Second Printing. Hard Cover. Very Good (Plus)/Good.… Read More

New York: Leavitt & Allen Bros., 1854. Written anonymously, but part of a series that also included "The Young Man's Own Book," here is a small volume of instruction that Quercus notes as possibly much needed today: the art of letter-writing taught by examples. This is a Near Fine copy of the Second Edition (although with much added material). Uncommon. Black cloth binding, heavily blindstamped on the covers with the image of a Muse (with lyre);bright gilt titling and floral decoration on the spine. Clean text; 320 pages. Mildly bumped, else a Fine copy. Size: 32mo - over 4" - 5" tall. Second Edition.. Hard Cover. Near Fine/No Jacket. 32mo - over 4" - 5" tall.