Children's Literature from Quercus Rare Books

London, Edinburgh, and New York: Thomas Nelson and Sons, 1890. Crona Temple (pseudonym of Clara Lavinia Cornfield, 1846-1916) was a prolific author of children's books. This is a Very Good copy of one of her few books that were not published by a religious house (this the only one seen by Quercus]. An uncommon to scarce title. Blue decorative cloth… Read more about this item

Boston: Roberts Brothers, 1882. Edward Lear (1812-1888) was a famed illustrator of birds and botany prior to his turn to limericks and nonsense, by which he is most remembered today. The first nonsense dates to 1871; here is an uncommon and delightful compilation from a decade later. Pictorial paper-covered boards featuring the Owl and the Pussycat (the first Song in… Read more about this item

London & Edinburgh: W. & R. Chambers, Limited, 1910. John Arthur Barry (1850-1911), born in England, went to sea as a youth and spent most of his time in Australian waters. Afterwards he had a career as a journalist. This is a Very Good (Plus) copy of the First Edition, an elusive title indeed, particularly in such nice condition. Spectacular… Read more about this item

London, Paris, New York & Melbourne: Cassell and Company, Limited, 1899. This is a Very Good copy of an early illustrated edition ["Eighty-Seventh Thousand"]. Blue-green cloth binding, illustrated on the front board in black, blue and white of Jim in the rigging pointing two pistols at his pursuer. Titling in gilt on the spine. Clean text; map of… Read more about this item

London: Longmans, Green & Co., 1890. The prolific L.T. Meade wrote some 280 books, covering several genres. She is listed in Hubin [289] for the many mysteriesshe wrote. This, however, is one of her "girls stories." This is a Near Fine copy of the Fisrt English Edition. Very scarce. Orange cloth binding; titling in gilt on the spine and front… Read more about this item

London, New York, Toronto and Melbourne: Cassell and Company Ltd., 1915. Here is an attractive edition of Stevenson's classic tale, part of "Cassell's Empire Library for Boys and Girls." Decorative orange cloth binding. Stamped with pirates in action in black and green.Clean text; x, 344 pages. With a great frontis illustration in colour; and three others within by W.R.S.… Read more about this item

New York: McLoughlin Brothers, Publishers, 1882. "One Syllable" books were Popular throughout the 19th Century. Although usually directed at children, they were also used by immigrants to improve their English. This is a Very Good copy of the Firt Edition. Large format, with tan cloth binding blindstamped with decorations. Titling on the front in gilt; titling on the spine is… Read more about this item

London/New York/Boston: J.M. Dent and Co., Croscup and Co. & Little, Brown and Co., 1896. This children's novel was the last work by [Frederick] Marryat (1792-1848), famed for his nautical fiction. It was published posthumously in 1848. This is Volume Twenty-Four of "The Novels of Captain Marryat. Edited by R. Brimley Johnson," a Very Good copy of the First… Read more about this item

New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1853. Starting in 1851, the history was originally serialized in "Household Words" in 45 chapters, then reduced to 37 for hardcover publication. A scarce title in the American issue. Two volumes, bound in red cloth with decorative stamping on both covers; titling in gilt on the spine. This is the First American Edition,… Read more about this item

London/Boston: J.M. Dent and Co./Little, Brown and Co., 1896. A late children's novel by [Frederick] Marryat (1792-1848), famed for his nautical fiction, that was first published in 1841. This is Volume Nineteen of "The Novels of Captain Marryat. Edited by R. Brimley Johnson," a Very Good copy of the First Edition Thus..Dark blue cloth binding, with titling in gilt on… Read more about this item

London/Boston: J.M. Dent and Co./Little, Brown and Co., 1896. One of the late children's novels by [Frederick] Marryat (1792-1848), famed for his nautical fiction. This is Volume Twenty-Third of "The Novels of Captain Marryat. Edited by R. Brimley Johnson." This title was first published in 1848, having been completed by Marryat's son. A Very Good copy of the First Edition… Read more about this item

Cincinnati: R.W. Carroll & Co., Publishers, 1869. Second in the "The Gun-Boat Series." First published in 1864 by Porter & Coates; this is a Very Good (Minus) copy of a Later Printing from a different publisher. This particular title less common than others in the series. Purple cloth binding, blindstamped with rules and decorative device on the front cover. Titling… Read more about this item

Dublin: Bentham and Hardy, 1825. By an unknown author, possibly an in-house production of the publisher, who was active in the 1820s and 30s. This is a Very Good copy of the First (and only known) Edition. A rare title, held by three major UK universities, as well as Trinity Dublin's collection of children's literature. Full leather binding with six… Read more about this item

Paris: Gallimard, 1946. One of the most famous and popular children's books of the Twentieth Century. First published in 1943, just prior to the war hero author's (presumed) death. This is a Very Good copy of an early French printing. Softcover, with the illustrations, some in color, by the author. 93 pages. Some expected edgewear; pages lightly toned; the spine… Read more about this item

New York: The Macmillan Company, 1924. Although intended for young readers, Padraic Colum's retellings of classical history and myth can be enjoyed by all ages; it is truly enhanced by illustrations by the great Wilford Jones. This is a Very Good copy of the First Edition [stated "Published September, 1924"]. Brick red cloth binding, titled on the front cover and… Read more about this item

London: Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington, 1888. William Henry Giles Kingston (1814-1880) was a prolific author who devoted the last thirty years of his life to adventurous "Boys Books." He is noted as a translator of Jules Verne (although his wife actually did the work). This is a Very Good copy of a Later Printing ("New and Cheaper Edition"]… Read more about this item

Philadelphia: Henry T. Coates & Co., 1881. "Harry Castlemon" [Charles Austin Fosdick, 1842-1915] was a prolific author of juvenile and "boy's books" in the post-Civil War period. He said "Boys don't like fine literature. What they want is adventure..." (Wikipedia). This is part of his "Roughing It Series," a Very Good (Plus) copy of the First Edition. An uncommon… Read more about this item

New York: The Macaulay Company, 1925. This is a Near Fine copy of the First Edition. Although technically a children's book, it can be enjoyed by all. Gray decorative cloth binding. Titled in black, with a Spanish galleon on the front cover in black and gilt. The spine sports a gilt dolphin as well as the black titling. Clean text;… Read more about this item

New York: The Macmillan Company, 1924. Three stories for 6-8 year-olds by the great Irish author. This is a Very Good (Plus) to Near Fine copy of the First Edition, part of "The Little Library." Not common. Blue cloth binding with illustration and titling in black on the front cover; black titling on the spine. Clean text; 65 pages. Illustrated… Read more about this item

New York: Hurst & Co., Publishers, 1888. Stevenson's iconic tale was first published simultaneously in England and America in 1886. This is a Very Good copy of an American pirate edition (there was yet no copyright protection). There is no date, but certainly close to the time; there is a contemmporary (1889) presentation inscription on the FFEP. This edition is… Read more about this item