Search Results: Titles starting with O from Rooke Books

Portland, Maine : Falmouth Book House , 1938. First edition. Hardback. Very Good Indeed/Good. 5" by 7.5" . Fred Pendexter . A very scarce first edition satirical commentary on humankind, rooted in the dictatorship and culture of the eve of World War Two. A first edition of this work. Very scarce. In the publisher's original unclipped dust wrapper. Nine monochrome plates. A skillful and witty portrayal of a caricature dictator set on an imaginary planet, mocking the state of world affairs. A wildly interesting read published in the year prior to the start of WWII. In the original cloth binding with the original unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, very smart with minor shelf wear. Minor offsetting to end papers. Dust wrapper in good condition. Chipping to the extremities and handling marks to the wrap. Two pieces of yellow tape adhered to front and rear flyleaf. Ink price alteration to front fly leaf. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean. Very Good Indeed

London: Victor Gollancz, 1962. First edition. Cloth. Near Fine/Very Good. 9" by 5.5". Not Stated . A signed first edition of Phyllis E. Bentley's autobiography, complete with its vanishingly scarce dust wrapper. The first edition, first impression of Phyllis E. Bentley's autobiographical work. Phyllis was a prolific English novelist and author of non-fiction scholarly works on the Bronte sisters, who deeply inspired her writing. A frank, vivid, and personal telling of her life and career. Signed by the author to the title page. Complete with its clipped dust wrapper. Illustrated with With black and white photographic plates. In the original publisher's full cloth binding. Externally lovely with minor shelf wear only, spine lightly bumped to the head and tail. Signed by the author to the title page. Previous ownership ink inscription to the front free endpaper dated 1961. The dust wrapper is clipped and sound with minor shelf wear, rubbed to the front wraps, with a minor closed tear to the front… Read More

Rachde: Wrigley un Son, 1864. First edition. Cloth. Good Only. 7" by 5". Not Stated. A book on the Great Exhibition of London in 1862, written in the Lancashire dialect. A book on the Great Exhibition of London in 1862, written in the Lancashire dialect. First published as a series of letters in the Rochdale Observer; first edition thus. With many illustrations and a dictionary to the rear. This is the second such work by Oliver Ormerod, the first being an account of the Great Exhibition of 1851. In a cloth covered binding. Externally, sound with shelfwear and marks to boards. Hinges very tender and may fail in post, despite careful packing. Internally, binding loosening in places. Slight foxing and marks to pages throughout. Good Only

London: George Allen and Unwin, 1946. First edition. Cloth. Fine/Near Fine. 8" by 5.5". Quentin Crisp. The first edition of this poetry anthology by Reginald Reynolds. Held in original unclipped dustwrapper. Signed by the author to the title page, 'Miss Eldridge's Copy, signed with much pride & pleasure (also gratitude for a great deal of help at Chelsea Library one time & another!) by the author, Reginald Reynolds, Nov. 1946'. Illustrated throughout, with drawings by Quentin Crisp. Reynolds was a British left wing writer. He was a General secretary of the No More War Movement 1933-1937. Reynolds was a Quaker and a critic of British imperialism in India. He was also a conscientious objector during the Second World War and working in the Air Raid Precautions. This work was published during the Second World War and the dustwrapper is printed on the rear of an old map. This is possibly due to paper restrictions during the War. In the original cloth binding and held in original… Read More

New York: Doubleday, Page & Company, 1913-1920. Leather. Very Good Indeed. 7.5" by 5". Not Stated. A well presented twelve-volume set of the works of William Sydney Porter, writing under the pen name O. Henry. A wonderfully presented twelve volume set of fiction by O. Henry. This work is in blue half calf binding, with blue cloth boards and attractive red leather spine labels. This set was published by Review of Reviews company between 1913 and 1920. Review of Reviews was a well-known group of monthly journals founded in 1890-1893 by British journalist William Thomas Stead, with the aim to bring publishing of this kind global. O. Henry was the pen name of American writer, William Sydney Porter. Henry was predominantly known for his short stories, although he also wrote poetry and non-fiction. This work is a collection of novels, comprised of Cabbages and Kings; Heart of the West; The Trimmed Lamp; The Gentle Crafter; Strictly Business; Options; Rolling Stones; The Four Million; Whirligigs; Sixes… Read More

London : Heinemann, 1983. First edition. Hardback. Fine/Near Fine. 9" by 5". None . The first edition of Anthony Powell's novel of lies, vengeance and dishonesty. The first edition. In the original unclipped dust wrapper. The first novel that Powell published after the completion of the twelve volumes of A Dance of The Music of Time was published between 1951 and 1975. O. How The Wheel Becomes It is a story that offers insight into the mind of a writer. It is a story that continues to delight old and new readers. The story focuses on the process of writing and the consequences that it can have on relationships. In the original publisher's cloth in the original unclipped dust wrapper. Externally very smart. Marginal age toning to the dust wrapper. Light marks to the dustwrapper. The boards are bright and clean. Internally firmly bound. The pages are bright and clean. Fine

London: Heinemann, 1983. First edition. Cloth. Fine/Near Fine. 9" by 5". None. The first edition of this novel by Anthony Powell, in the original unclipped dust wrapper. The first edition. In the publisher's original cloth with the original unclipped dust wrapper. This novel was written by Anthony Powell who is best known for his twelve volume work 'A Dance to the Music in Time'. This work follows the story of Geoffrey Shadbold, a novelist and critic. In the original publisher's cloth with the original unclipped dust wrapper. Externally lovely. The wrap is excellent with only slight marks and scattered spotting. The odd spot to the verso. Internally firmly bound with clean and bright pages. Fine

London: Penguin Books, 1984. Paperback. Near Fine. 8" by 5". None. A signed copy of Anthony Powell's short comical novel about Geoffrey Shadbold. Signed by the author to the title page, signed to Powell's friend Miranda.A comedic novel revolving around the sometimes novelist and critics, Geoffrey Shadbold, who is asked to be on a TV chat show.Powell was an English author, best known for his twelve volume work, 'A Dance to the Music of Time', which is one of the longest novels in English.Six pages of publisher's adverts to the rear. In the original publisher's paper wraps. Externally, smart. A couple of very light marks to the wraps. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are lightly age-toned and clean. Near Fine

London: Faber and Faber Limited, 1953 . First edition. Cloth. Very Good Indeed/Very Good. 9" by 6". None. First edition of this collection of poetry by Walter de la Mare in the original dust wrapper. First edition of O Lovely England and Other Poems by Walter de la Mare in the original publisher's cloth binding and unclipped dust wrapper.A lovely collection of poetry by the British poet and short story writer. Mare is best remembered for his works for children, particularly the poem 'The Listeners'. Prior owner's ink inscription to the first free endpaper dated 1953. In the original publisher's cloth binding and unclipped dust wrapper. There is some wear to the extremities of the dust wrapper and closed tear to the front board. There is some spotting to the inverse. To the binding, there is some light bumping to the head and tail of the spine and to the extremities. Prior owner's ink inscription to the first free endpaper dated 1953. Internally, firmly bound. The pages are bright and clean with… Read More

London : Country Life, 1943. First edition. Cloth. Very Good/Very Good. 10" by 7.5". None. A first edition of H E Bates' O More Than Happy Countryman. With 10 plates. An English writer who mainly authored novels, H E Bates also compiled many non-fiction essays focusing on the outdoors and countryside. In a cloth binding with original dustwrapper. Externally, smart with bumping to spine and extremities. contemporary ink inscription to front free-endpaper. Dustwrapper, clipped with edgewear and chipping. Sunning to spine. internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean. Very Good

London: Chatto & Windus, 1969. Cloth. Fine/Near Fine. 8" by 5.5". None. An uncommon 'New Edition' of this biography by Jack Loudan. 'There have been many freaks in the history of literature but none more astonishing than Amanda Ros, who was described by Aldous Huxley as 'an Elizabethan born out of her time''. With a frontispiece. In a pink cloth binding in original clipped dustwrapper. Externally, in lovely condition. Dustwrapper is excellent with just some minor edgewear and slight fading to spine. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean. Fine

London: Country Life, 1915. First edition. Cloth. Very Good. 9.5" by 6.5". None. A scarce copy of this remarkable military history of the Officer's Training Corps, covering its work in the First World War. A remarkable account of the Officers Training Corps, covering its conception and its work during the first year of the First World War and anticipating its future.Written by Alan Haig-Brown, a British Army officer and footballer. He served as commander of the Lancing Officer's Training Corps and was killed by machine-gun fire on the first day of the German spring offensive in 1918.Illustrated with ten plates, including a frontispiece piece portrait of Major Meiklejohn, V.C.A scarce copy of this work, which is a first edition. In the publisher's original full cloth binding. Externally generally smart; a little bumped to the head and tail of the spine, which is a little faded. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Very Good

Warsaw: Drukarni Galezowskiego, 1827. First edition. Paperback. Very Good Indeed. 7.5" by 5". None. A very scarce first edition of this original Polish text on poverty and poor, by the Polish figure Fryderyk Skarbek. A lovely copy. A very scarce first edition.In the original Polish.Fryderyk Skarbek's important treatise on the poverty and poor of Poland, a fundamental work on political economy. A sympathetic work to the causes of the poor, presenting theories on how it could be further prevented in the future.Skarbek was a notable member of the Polish nobility, known for his economic theory and his work as a social activist. He also designed the Pawiak Prison that was destroyed in 1944 during the Warsaw Uprising. Notably Skarbek was the godfather and good friend of Frederic Chopin. In the original paper wraps. Externally, smart, with a little edge wear and marks to the wraps. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are lightly age-toned and generally clean with only the odd spot. Very Good Indeed

Dublin: William Curry, Jun. And Company., 1845 . First edition. Leather. Good. 9" by 6". H. K. Browne. A first edition in leather binding of Charles Lever's Irish Literature novel. First edition, first impression, in half calf binding of The O'Donoghue by Charles Lever with illustrations.The O'Donoghue is set in Ireland, fifty years ago from the time of publication. This historical novel is set in County Kerry. Charles Lever was an Irish novelist who was regarded on the same level as authors such as Dickins and Thackeray at the time.Includes 26 monochrome illustrations. Plate facing page 213 and page 408 have a small tear. Collated, complete. In half calf binding. Externally, smart. There is some bumping to the head and tail of the spine and the extremities resulting in some wear. The front hinge is starting but firm. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean with some ages to the fore edges and spotting throughout, particularly to the plates. The plate facing page 213 and page 408 have… Read More

Dublin: William Curry, Jun. and Company, 1845. First edition. Leather. Very Good. 8.5" by 5.5". Hablot Knight Browne; [Phiz]. The first edition of this popular humorous novel by Charles Lever, set in Ireland towards the end of the eighteenth century, compete with Phiz's illustrations. The first edition.An entertaining novel set in Ireland at the end of the eighteenth century, a wonderful examination of Irish life during the Georgian era.Illustrated with a frontispiece, and twenty-five plates.Collated, all plates are present. Bound without half title and adverts.By Charles Lever, a popular novelist and raconteur. His novels were highly praised by Anthony Trollope.Illustrated by Hablot Knight Browne. In a half calf binding with marbled paper to the boards. Externally, with some rubbing to the boards and spine, resulting in a little loss to the extremities. Spine is lightly faded. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are lightly age toned with a few spots. Very Good

London: Cassell, 1969. Cloth. Very Good Indeed/Very Good. 8" by 6". Charles Mozley. A work of fiction about late eighteenth century racehorse, Eclipse, in a very scarce illustrated dust wrapper. An early edition of this novel, in a very scarce, unclipped, pictorial dust wrapper from prolific book illustrator Charles Mozley. Since Mozley's death in 1991, at least three retrospectives of his work have been held in major venues such as the Barbican Centre and Somerset House.A novel from American television screenwriter Arthur Weiss, about the undefeated British racehorse Eclipse, and his owner Dennis O'Kelly. Eclipse is notable for being the sire of an estimates 95% of modern thoroughbred horses, including Secretariat, with his skeleton now on permanent display at the Royal Veterinary college. In the publisher's original cloth binding, with price unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, very smart. Shelf wear to spine tail, slight bumping to spine head. Closed tears to folds at head and tail of dust wrapper… Read More

London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1969. First edition. Cloth. Fine/Fine. 7.5" by 5". Not Stated. A first edition copy of this uncommon crime novel from the Dr Palfrey series, in unusually lovely condition. The first edition of this work in the publisher's original cloth binding, with the original unclipped dust wrapper. John Creasey was a prolific author, writing westerns, fantasy, historical fiction and standalone novels in many genres. However, he is best known for his crime fiction. This work is book 28 from his Dr Palfrey series, and concerns a conspiracy which could affect the lives of millions of people. This is becoming an uncommon work. In the publisher's original cloth binding, with the original unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, cloth is in excellent condition. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright and clean. Dust wrapper is very smart with minimal shelf wear to the extremities. Fine

Not Stated: Not Stated, 1902. Cloth. Very Good Indeed. 9" by 6". None. An illustrated guide to the resort town of Oban from the turn of the twentieth century, illustrated and complete with a number of advertisements. A tourist guide to Oban, situated in the Argyll and Bute area of Scotland, with a horseshoe shaped bay and magnificent scenery of the coast and mountains surrounding, as well as a number of castles and religious sites.Written by Alexander Mailer Faichney.Complete with hotel advertisements to each pastedown, as well as twenty-one pages of local advertisements bound to the rear. Illustrated throughout with photographs demonstrating the beauty and tourist sites of the local area. In a full cloth binding. Externally very smart, with just slight wear to extremities and bumping to the head and tail of the spine. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Very Good Indeed

London: Cadell and Davies, 1798. First edition. Leather. Very Good Indeed. 7.5" by 5". None. A scarce first edition of Sotheby's translation of Oberon. Translated from the German of Christoph Martin Wieland. The original poem was very popular at the time and Sotheby is noted for translating in to English. Wieland was reportedly delighted with Sotheby's translation of the work. Oberon is a faeire king in the lore of Medieval and Renaissance Europe, and features heavily in European literature. This poem tells the tale of how Huon, duke of Guienne, becomes embroiled in a quarrel between Oberon and his queen, Titania. Sotheby was a famed translator and Romantic poet, held in high regard by various well known figures of the day such as Byron and Wordsworth. Direct from the Regency library of Elizabeth Greenly, later Lady Elizabeth Coffin Greenly. Elizabeth Greenly, born at Titley Court, Herefordshire, was a noted and varied collector. She kept prolific diaries from 1784 until her death in 1839… Read More

London: Cadell and Davies; et al, 1798. First edition. Leather. Very Good Indeed. 7.5" by 5". None. The first William Sotheby translation of the epic German poem 'Oberon', an impressive and uncommon to see translation. The first edition of this Sotherby translation, an uncommon translation.Complete in two volumes.ESTC citation number T99051.Half-title present to Volume II, eratta leaf to Volume I.Volume I is bound without the half-title.William Sotheby's translation of 'Oberon', originally written in German by Christoph Martin Wieland.'Oberon' is an epic poem, based on the French medieval epic romance 'Huon de Bordeaux', and Shakespeare's 'Midsummer Night's Dream'. The plot follows Hyon Duke of Guienne, as he is condemned to go to Babylon for slaying the son of Karl the Great.Sotheby made his reputation on his translation, an impressive contribution to literature. Sotheby was a prominent figure of the London literary society, his friends including Walter Scott, Byron, Wordsworth, and Coleridge. In a… Read More