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Fine Editions Ltd

Fine Editions Ltd
Item #BB1361 A Bibliography of Henry James [Jacob Blanck's copy, presented by the authors]. Leon EDEL, Dan H. LAURENCE.
A Bibliography of Henry James [Jacob Blanck's copy, presented by the authors]
A Bibliography of Henry James [Jacob Blanck's copy, presented by the authors]
A Bibliography of Henry James [Jacob Blanck's copy, presented by the authors]

A Bibliography of Henry James [Jacob Blanck's copy, presented by the authors]

London: Rupert Hart-Davis, 1957. First Edition. Hardcover. First Printing, one of only 1,000 copies. Rare Presentation Copy, inscribed by Laurence on front fly-leaf and signed by both Edel and Laurence to the great bibliographer Jacob Blanck, with typed postcard signed from Edel to Blanck laid in and fascinating marginal corrections and comments, presumably in Blanck's hand. 8vo: 411,[1]pp, with frontispiece portrait and 10 photographs and facsimiles. Publisher's deep pink cloth, spine lettered and ruled in gilt, top edge stained matching pink, unclipped typographic dust jacket printed in maroon and black. About Fine (topstain a bit faded); Near Fine jacket with bright front and back panels, tide mark to lower third of spine panel, few nicks and tiny chips to tips and corners, short closed tear to front panel's top edge). An important copy of this limited edition, essential to any James collector, uniquely inscribed. Besterman II 3242. Fine- / Near Fine. Item #BB1361

¶ The inscription, in Laurence's hand, reads: "For Jacob Blanck, to whom we / acknowledge an enormous debt of / thanks for the innumerable times / he came to the rescue, with both / advice and information, often at / the expense of his own bibliographical / projects. With deep gratitude and / warmest regards. / Dan H. Laurence [in his hand] / Leon Edel [in his hand] / Nov. 29, 1957 [in Laurence's hand]. The typed postcard from Laurence, dated "Dec. 3, 1957," is addressed to "Jake" [Blanck], wherein Laurence notes that copies of the book "arrived on Friday," and that he had inscribed and signed a copy and sent it to Edel for his signature and forwarding to Blanck. Laurence also explains that their gift is motivated by Blank's "generous and ungrudging assistance whenever called upon these many years," says they are "handing out only eight jointly signed copies since the cost is so high," signs the card "Dan" in blue ink, and adds a postscript stating: "Don't let the 'gift' keep you from being scrupulously honest in your criticism—we're planning a 2nd ed. already." N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, with dust jackets carefully preserved in archival, removable polypropylene sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed.

Price: $365.00

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