Search Results: Titles starting with V from Rooke Books

London: The Standard Art Book Company, 1924. First edition. Cloth. Very Good. 11" by 9". None. A first edition of this uncommon set comprising portraits and descriptions of decorated officers. This uncommon set offers a complete record of all those officers and non-commissioned men across Britain's military, naval, and air forces who have been awarded the Victoria Cross or Distinguished Service Orders. With 1748 portraits across the three volumes. Alongside descriptions of the deeds and services that earned these men their distinctions, the volume also provides some biographical information and a portrait. Whilst volume I lists those who received the Victoria Cross from its institution in 1856 to 1924, Volume II lists those who received a Distinguished Service Order from 1886 to 1915, and the final volume continues the list up to 1924. Prior owner's ink inscription to the half title of volume I. The set previously belonged to 'G. Hardyman'. Rebacked in a calf leather binding. The front board… Read More

London: Harmsworth Bros Ltd, 1901. Leather. Good. 13" by 10". Not Stated. A detailed and illustrated exploration into the life and reign of Queen Victoria. Copiously illustrated throughout, with many photographic plates and decorative bordering. Featuring two coloured frontispieces which both depict Queen Victoria at different times in her life. John George Edward Henry Douglas Sutherland Campbell, 9th Duke of Argyll, usually better known by the courtesy title Marquess of Lorne, by which he was known between 1847 and 1900, was a British nobleman and was the fourth Governor General of Canada from 1878 to 1883. He is now remembered primarily for the place names bestowed on Canadian geography in honour of his wife and for his metrical paraphrase of Psalm 121, "Unto the hills around do I lift up". Rebound in a straight grain morocco binding. Externally, a trifle rubbed, with some wear to the extremities and spine label. Slight evidence of past worming to the front board. Internally, firmly… Read More

London: Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1901-1902. Cloth. Very Good. 13" by 10". Not Stated. A smart collection of works on the life and times of Queen Victoria, and the Coronation of Edward VII and Alexandra, with illustrations throughout. Complete with the index and preface, parts one to sixteen, and The Art Journal Coronation Number. The life and empire of Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 1837 until her death in 1901. Her reign was longer than any of her predecessors and was a period of vast industrial, political, scientific, and military development within the United Kingdom, as well as a great expansion of the British Empire. With the Coronation Number of the Art Journal, detailing the coronation of Edward VII and his wife, Alexandra, as king and queen of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions. Illustrated throughout with numerous black-and-white images, one colour plate to part four, and a colour frontispiece to part sixteen. With four tipped… Read More

London: Harmsworth Bros Ltd, 1901. Cloth. Very Good. 13" by 10". Not Stated. A comprehensive and beautifully illustrated work on the life of nineteenth-century British monarch, Queen Victoria. Published the year of Queen Victoria's death. A comprehensive biography of the life and empire of nineteenth-century British monarch, Queen Victoria, the longest serving monarch in British history next to the current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. Published the year of Queen Victoria's death and written by John Campbell, the 9th Duke of Argyll and the Marquis of Lorne. Printed by Eyre & Spottiswoode, His Majesty's Printers. Beautifully illustrated with numerous in-text illustrations. Containing two full page colour plates, and a colour title page. Collated and complete. Containing a small ink signature of a previous owner to the front free-endpaper. In the publisher's original white cloth binding. Externally, slight darkening to the extremities and spine, and a few small stains and marks to the… Read More

New York: Atheneum, 1979. Cloth. Near Fine/Near Fine. 9" by 6". Not Stated. A reprint of this delightful gardening work honouring the work of Vita Sackville-West, complete with a bright, unclipped dust wrapper. Collected from Sackville-West's articles on gardening published in the London Observer.Written by Vita-Sackville West (1892-1962), an English writer and designer of gardens. She penned numerous novels, poems, letters and diaries, as well as articles and non-fiction works regarding gardening. A lover of Virginia Woolf, she was the inspiration for the protagonist of 'Orlando: A Biography'.Originally edited by Sackville-West's husband, Nigel Nicolson, this reprint was edited by Phillipa Nicolson.Complete with an excellent and bright dust wrapper.Illustrated with photographs in colour and black and white.A smart reprint of this work. In the publisher's original full cloth binding with an unclipped dust wrapper. Externally lovely, with just the slightest wear. Dust wrapper is in excellent… Read More

London : Gall and Inglis, c1901. Cloth. Very Good Indeed. 7.5" by 5". None. A collection of short stories from numerous authors, including Professor Gillespie, Oliver Richardson, J. M. Wilson and others. With an engraved frontispiece. Part of the Stirring Tales series. In a blue cloth binding. Externally, quite smart, though with some slight rubbing and bumping. Internally, generally firmly bound. Ink inscription to front free-endpaper. Pages are bright and clean, with just the odd spot. Very Good Indeed

London: Edward Moxon, 1845. First edition. Leather. Very Good. 7.5" by 5". None. The first edition of Thomas Talfourd's work discussing his experiences whilst travelling in Europe, complete in two volumes. The first edition of this work. Complete in two volumes. An interesting collection recollecting the author's experiences travelling throughout Europe in early to mid nineteenth century. Containing thoughts on the author's trips to the Alps, travelling across London, Paris, Geneva, Chamouni, and more. Written by Thomas Talfourd. Talfourd was a politician and judge who worked for the 'London Magazine', and 'The Times', as well as being an occasional contributor to 'Edinburgh Review' and 'Quarterly Review'. Charles Dickens dedicated 'The Pickwick Papers' to him. In a half calf binding with marbled paper to the boards. Externally, generally smart. Some rubbing and loss to the leather to spine, joints, and extremities. Front hinge of Volume I is starting but firm. Ink inscription to the… Read More

Cambridge: Macmillan and Co, 1861 . First edition. Cloth. Very Good. 9.5" by 6.5". Not Stated. The first edition of this fascinating collection of thirteen articles about travels and holidays undertaken by Englishmen in 1860. The first edition of this work.Illustrated with four maps, one of which is folding. Collated, complete.A wonderful collection of thirteen articles about various travels and expeditions, including C.C. Bowen's 'A Visit to Peru', and 'Syrian Travel and Syrian Tribes' by Roden Noel. Further essays include discussions of Spain, Norway, the Faroe Islands and Iceland, the Matterhorn, the Graian Alps, Hungary, and Naples.With twenty-four pages of advertisements to the rear.With a former owner's inscription, dated Dec. 1909, to the front free endpaper, discussing the work being given to J.A. Stewart by J.P. Stanton, as a memento.Edited by Francis Galton, who produced two further works along the same vein in subsequent years. Galton was a cousin of Charles Darwin, whose work on… Read More

Paris: Debecourt Librairie-Edteur, 1841. Leather. Very Good Indeed. 7" by 4". None . A smart copy of this pocket-sized handbook to Christian behaviour. A later printing of this Vade-Mecum for Christians, in a pocket size for easy access and consultation, by Comte du Coetlosquet. A handy guide to Christianity, outlining duties towards God and our neighbours, to ourselves and reflections on life, such as vanity, the frailty of life, health, and the immortality of the soul among others.  In a quarter morocco binding over four raised bands. Externally very smart with only minor shelf wear and a minor edge wear. Some rubbing to the boards and minor soiling. Inscribed to the recto and verso of the front blank page by a previous owner, dated 1843. Internally, firmly bound. With a minor faint scattered spotting throughout. Very Good Indeed

London: J and A March; Cornhill; Hatchard et al , 1817. First edition. Leather. Very Good. 14" by 11.5". John Thomas Smith. The scarce first edition of John Thomas Smith's illustrations of the London streets in the nineteenth century. Extra-illustrated with 56 etched plates. With an introduction by Francis Douce, who worked for the British Museum alongside Smith. This copy contains the half-title, an additional etched title with contemporary hand-colouring, letterpress title in red & black within diamond ruled lozenge, 56 etched plates, as well as several in-text illustrations. Smith produced many noted images of London for other works such as Thomas Pennant's 'Some Account of London'. He also brought out his own series of etchings and aquatints titled 'Antiquities of London'. This work depicts the working-class and poor of London. To the preface, Smith notes that the work is 'far from being offered as a general view of that peculiar branch of pauperism, which includes the many… Read More

Philadelphia and London: J. B. Lippincott; Hutchinson & Co, 1915. First edition. Cloth. Very Good Indeed. 8.5" by 6". Mrs. Lewis Chase. A first edition copy of this account of a voyage through Brittany, with illustrations. A first edition copy of this travel work through Brittany from St. Malo to Brest over twenty eight days. Richly illustrated with sixty four illustrations from photographs by the author and a map. Collated, complete. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, excellent with some light fading to the spine. Internally, firmly bound with bright and clean pages. Very Good Indeed

London: John Murray, 1898. First edition. Cloth. Very Good. 7.5" by 5.5". None. The first edition of Munthe's 'Vagaries,' later known as 'Memories and Vagaries'. Bound with half title and the original title of 'Vagaries'. Later editions were published retitled as 'Memories and Vagaries'. Direct from the library of the late Hugh Selbourne MD (1906-1973) a noted book collector and diarist. This is a short collection of essays by Axel Munthe, it has been published in several languages and editions due to its popularity. It contains fourteen essays by Munthe. Some of these were previously published in magazines, such as 'Toys' which appeared in 'Blackwood' and 'For Those Who Love Music' in Murray's magazine. Axel Munthe was a Swedish born physician and psychiatrist. He is best remembered as the author of 'The Story of San Michele', an autobiographical account of his life and work. In original green full cloth binding with title gilt stamped to front board and spine. Externally, smart. Some… Read More

London: William Heinemann Ltd. , 1952. Paperback. Very Good. 8.5" by 5.5" . None. The very scarce proof copy of this work of literary criticism by W. Somerset Maugham. The very scarce proof copy. In the original paper wraps. A collection of six essays relating to literary criticism, by the renowned English writer, William Somerset Maugham. Topics featured include the writer Augustus Hare, the Spanish painter Francisco de Zurbaran, a discussion on the decline of the detective story and more. William Somerset Maugham was an English writer best known for his novel and play, 'Liza of Lambeth'. Other notable works by Maugham include, 'Of Human Bondage', 'The Moon and Sixpence', and, 'The Painted Veil'. He was a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and in 1954, Maugham was appointed Companion of Honour on the recommendation of Winston Churchill. The half title page is present. In the original paper wraps. Externally, smart with some shelf wear to the edges. A closed tear of about… Read More

London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1947. First edition. Cloth. Very Good Indeed/Very Good. 8.5" by 5.5". None. A first edition of this novel following the fate of the d'Alvery family. 'Vail d'Alvery' is a follow on novel from The River Road. Francis Parkinson Keyes (1885-1970) was an American author. In a cloth binding. Externally, sound. Some bumping and wear to extremities. Small section of offsetting to first front free end-paper. Dustwrapper unclipped and with sunning to spine. Edgewear to extremities. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean. Very Good Indeed

London : Methuen and Co., 1895. Cloth. Very Good. 8" by 5.5". None. A first edition of this collection of letters from Robert Louis Stevenson. Colvin became Stevenson's literary adviser and after his death was the first editor of Stevenson's letters. With a tissue-guarded frontispiece. Bookplate of Midland Education Co. to rear pastedown. In a brown cloth binding. Externally, sound, though with some marks and bumping. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright, and quite clean, though with some foxing to the first and last few pages. Very Good

London: William Heinemann, 1947. First edition. Cloth. Near Fine/Very Good Indeed. 7.5" by 5". None. A scarce first edition of this thrilling novel from Morgan. First edition. Scarce work. Paul Leger is being blackmailed by the loathsome husband of the woman he loves. One day, Paul murders him. The novel concerns itself with the psychological effects of this action on the people he meets in his attempt to escape the police. Written by Bryan S. Morgan, a British author who won the Atlantic Award for Literature for this work. In the original blue cloth binding. Externally, very smart with light shelf wear to the extremities. Original unclipped dust wrapper is also very smart with light shelf wear and minor chipping to the extremities. The odd mark to the board and a small crease to the rear flap. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright and clean throughout. Near Fine

London: Walter Scott, Ltd. , 1895 . Cloth. Good. 7.5" by 5". Maurice Greiffenhagen. An early new edition of this illustrated novel by George Moore. Early edition of Vain Fortune by George Moore in the original publisher's cloth binding. A new edition completely revised. An uncommon edition.Illustrated by Maurice Greiffenhagen, the British painter and book illustrator. Includes only the frontispiece. Collated. A drama novel about the protagonist Hubert Prince and his struggles to write his novels.George Moore was an Irish novelist, short story writer, and poet. Prior owner's ink inscription from 1922 to the first free endpaper. In the original publisher's cloth binding. Externally, smart. There is some bumping to the head and tail of the spine and to the extremities. The spine is slightly faded. The front hinge is strained but firm. Prior owner's ink inscription from 1922 to the first free endpaper. Internally, generally firmly bound. The pages are bright and clean with the odd spot and age… Read More

Paris: Desessart, 1847. First edition. Leather. Very Good. 8.5" by 5". None. A very scarce first edition of this entertaining novel by Jules Sandeau, in the original French. A very scarce first edition.In the original French.Complete in three volumes.Following Monsieur de Valcreuse, who returns from war in India. Set in 1788, Valcreuse is a handsome young man of 30, living with his younger sister.By Jules Sandeau, a French novelist who had a brief affair with George Sand. His best known work is the play 'Le Gendre de M. Poirier', which he wrote with Emile Augier. His other works include 'Mademoiselle de le Seigliere' and 'La Maison de Penarvan'. In a half mottled calf binding with marbled paper to the boards. Externally, generally smart. A small amount of loss to the head and tail of the spine of Volume I. Front joint of Volume I is starting but firm, resulting in the tail of the spine to be lifting a small amount to the front joint. Minor bumping to the extremities. Rubbing to the spines, resulting… Read More

London: C. Arthur Pearson, 1895. First edition. Cloth. Very Good Indeed. 8.5" by 6". Harold Piffard. A first edition copy of the epic fantasy of reincarnation, battle and romance, by prolific writer and explorer George Griffith. 'Valdar the Oft-Born', the tale of a legendary warrior reborn again and again to fight the battles of seven ages, is written by George Griffith, a celebrated author of science fiction and contemporary to H.G. Wells and Jules Verne. Most noted for 'The Angel of the Revolution', Griffith enjoyed great success during his time but has since been overshadowed by the legacy of others, lending his works, especially 'Valdar', a sense of unappreciated timelessness. Illustrated by Harold Piffard, this first edition of 'Valdar' features 16 monochrome plates depicting the heroes journey from life to life. First edition. With sixteen monochrome plates, including frontispiece, collated complete. A prolific writer and explorer of both his own world and those of his fantasy, George… Read More

London: Robert Hale, 1969 . First edition. Cloth. Very Good Indeed. 8" by 5.5". None. The first edition of Elmore Leonard's classic western novel about aging town constable, Bob Valdez. The first edition, first impression. This first edition, published in the UK, precedes the first US edition, which was released in 1970.In a fine facsimile dust wrapper.This tale of small town American corruption and vengeance was the basis for the popular 1971 motion picture starring Burt Lancaster as the titular character.With the stamp of the Leicestershire County Library to the verso of the title page, and no further library markings. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, fine. In a fine facsimile dust wrapper. Internally, firmly bound. Library stamp to title page verso, otherwise internally exceptionally clean and bright. Very Good Indeed