Description
2 vols., 4to, pp. [iv], xlix, [i], 646; [iv], 532, 196 + engraved portrait frontispiece (bound after title-page). Contemporary straight-grained red morocco, boards bordered with a pair of double gilt rules interlocking at the centre of each edge around a gilt oval, spines divided by double raised bands between and enclosing gilt rules, second and third compartments gilt-lettered direct, marbled endpapers, edges gilt. Frontispiece spotted and with a small dampstain to upper inside corner, also offset onto dedication leaf, a few gatherings spotted, two leaves with a small piece torn from blank edge. Spines lightly sunned, a bit of rubbing around the edges, a few small scrapes to boards. Milltown Park library stamp to dedication in vol. 1 and title-page in vol. 2 and their shelfmark label to front pastedowns, along with the William O’Brien bequest label and, in vol. 1, a gift inscription to initial blank giving the book to Alfred Walmsley, from his great uncle Richard Besley, a clipped catalogue description (for the large paper version) to verso of vol. 1 flyleaf.