Books

First edition. Octavo. Three volumes: pp 252; [iv], 257, [1], [2] adverts; [iv], 242, [2] adverts. Original green cloth. 750 sets of this three-decker were issued. From the library of essayist and Liberal politician Augustine Birrell with his monogram bookplate on the front pastedown of each volume.A set which is somewhat the worse for wear: W.H. Smith's Library labels on each pastedown (over which Birrell has placed his bookplate); covers rubbed at edges and joints; heads and tails of spines scuffed; last couple of leaves of last volume creased at top edges. Internally very good.

The Princess Casamassima is a novel by Henry James, first published as a serial in The Atlantic Monthly in 1885-1886 and then as a book in 1886. The novel is a story about London bookbinder Hyacinth Robinson, who becomes involved in radical politics and a terrorist assassination plot. The book combines themes of political activism and social reform with James's characteristic psychological insight.

First editions can often be identified by the publisher and the date found on the verso of the title page.