Morley Ernstein; or, The Tenants of the Heart

New York: Harper & Brothers, 1842. First edition. Cloth. Good. 7.5" by 4.5". None. The first american edition of George Payne Rainsford James' 'Morley Ernstein', complete with two volumes bound in one. The scarce first American edition. Complete in two volumes, bound in one. In the original, full, cloth binding with title plate. George Payne Rainsford James was an English novelist and historical writer, who held the title of British Historiographer Royal, for the last years of William IV's reign. He is best known for his first novel, 'Richelieu: A Tale of France', which was admired by Sir Walter Scott, who advised him to take up writing as his career. 'Morley Ernstein', is an enjoyable and adventurous novel inspired by James' travels in France and Spain, in the aftermath of Napoleon. With two pages of publisher's advertisements to the front of the book, and twelve pages of the publisher's catalogue to the rear of the book. In the original full cloth binding. Externally, a trifle rubbed with shelf wear to the edges. Bumping and a few closed tears to the spine. Fading to the spine. Marks to the boards. Title plate is chipped and darkened. Hinges are starting but firm. Cockling to the paste-downs. Spotting and age-toning to the paste-downs and free endpapers. Internally, binding slightly strained but still firm. Pages age-toned. Spotting and offsetting throughout. Good