San Francisco and New York: Western Authors Publishing Company, 1892. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. A volume of satirical verses and sketches collected from Bierce''s journalism. A reviewer for the Californian Illustrated Magazine observed that the "black beetles are prominent citizens of California - public men, lawyers, judges, journalists, social leaders, and clubmen - whom Mr. Bierce has first impaled on the needle of satire and then embalmed in the amber of his poetic fancy. This he has done as a whole cleverly, sometimes very excellently. He has his own ideas as to the propriety of his work, and frankly says that he makes no apologies either for its production or preservation." Frontispiece portrait by J.H.E. Parlington. Octavo. Original gray cloth binding, with beveled edges, blind-stamped borders, gilt titles, and decorative endpapers. Small period bookseller's label to the rear pastedown. The spine is a touch sun faded, with some minor wear to the corners and tips; otherwise very good. BAL 1111.

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Details

Bookseller: Johnson Rare Books & Archives (US)
Bookseller's Inventory #: 68388
Title: BLACK BEETLES IN AMBER
Author: Bierce, Ambrose
Format/Binding: Hardcover
Book Condition: Used - Very Good
Quantity Available: 1
Edition: First Edition
Publisher: Western Authors Publishing Company
Place of Publication: San Francisco and New York
Date Published: 1892
Keywords: Literature, Ambrose Bierce, California, San Francisco, Satire

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Johnson Rare Books & Archives

As proud members of the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America, we uphold our association's code of ethics. If you are not satisfied with your purchase, all items are returnable within ten days of delivery. Materials must be returned in the same condition as sent. If you have any questions or concerns, simply call us to discuss.

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Johnson Rare Books & Archives

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Covina, California

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About Johnson Rare Books & Archives

Established in 1981, johnson rare books & archives is located in the heart of downtown Covina, about 20 miles east of Los Angeles. Our shop is currently open by appointment Thursday - Saturday from 11am - 6pm (please call ahead) and houses an inventory of some 30,000 titles, ranging from the general second-hand to the truly antiquarian. For more information, visit our website at www.johnsonrarebooks.com or call 1-626-967-1888.

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Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:

Octavo: Another of the terms referring to page or book size, octavo refers to a standard printer's sheet folded four times, producing...
Edges: The collective of the top, fore and bottom edges of the text block of the book, being that part of the edges of the pages of a...
New: A new book is a book previously not circulated to a buyer. Although a new book is typically free of any faults or defects, "new"...
BAL: Bibliography of American Literature (commonly abbreviated as BAL in descriptions) is the quintessential reference work for any...
Cloth: "Cloth-bound" generally refers to a hardcover book with cloth covering the outside of the book covers. The cloth is stretched...
Beveled: Beveled edges, or beveled boards, describe a technique of binding in which the edges of book boards have been cut into slanted...
Spine: The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
First Edition: In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
Gilt: The decorative application of gold or gold coloring to a portion of a book on the spine, edges of the text block, or an inlay in...