Prímula

1838 — 2 vols., 8vo., First Edition, First Issue, with 2 engraved frontispieces (one a portrait; original tissue guards present) and 11 engraved plates (all original tissue guards present), some occasional, light and wholly inoffensive age-staining; handsomely bound in contemporary full light tan calf, sides with triple frame border enclosing at four corners a floral spray, back with five raised bands, second and third compartments with red and green leather labels framed and lettered in gilt, all other compartments elaborately tooled in gilt, gilt tops, marbled endpapers, uncut, very neatly rebacked with old backstrips laid down, a fresh, crisp and most attractive copy. THIS COPY WAS FORMERLY IN THE LIBRARY OF LORD ROSEBERY AND BEARS HIS RED 'DURDANS' BOOKPLATE ON FRONT PASTE-DOWNS. ALSO PRESENT ARE CHARLES DICKENS CENTENARY TESTIMONIAL BOOKPLATES ON FRONT PASTE-DOWNS. With half-titles, misprint '128' for '182' (Embellishments, vol. I; plate 5), last plate without grotesque border, and undated 36pp publisher's catalogue bound in at end. Archibald Primrose (1847-1929), 5th Earl of Rosebery and 1st Earl of Midlothian, Prime Minister of Great Britain 1894-5. AN OUTSTANDING AND MOST DESIRABLE COPY, COMPLETE IN EVERY RESPECT AND WITH NOTABLE PROVENANCE. Eckel, p.152.