THE NOVELS, POEMS AND LIFE OF CHARLES KINGSLEY by Kingsley, Charles (1819-1875) - 1900

New York: J. F. Taylor, 1900. The Author's Autograph Edition Limited to 10 copies, this the Publisher's Proof Copy. A few volumes with some rubbing to the joints, but still a stunning and remarkable set. The Author's Autograph Edition Limited to 10 copies, this the Publisher's Proof Copy. 14 volumes. Printed on Japanese vellum. Illustrated with 85 plates in two states, black & white and colored (a few frontispieces in single colored state). Extra-Illustrated with 10 original pen and ink drawings, 1 heraldic watercolor, a 2-page ALS signed by Kingsley and the 4-page manuscript of the Introduction to the Letters and Memories by Maurice Kingsley - signed "MK". Bound by Becourt in full dark blue crushed morocco, t.e.g., the uneven spine panels with gilt titles and designs of Tudor roses with trailing vines and leaves, the blossoms and leaves with onlays of red and brown, the covers with overall designs of the roses and leaves onlaid in red and green and with two gilt frames formed of tripe fillets, triple fillet dentelles, the front doblures in tan calf, each with different original drawing done in Pyrography - and each quite accomplished and elegant, the rear doblures of red crushed morocco, red watered silk flyleaves and green marbled flyleaves. Auction record laid in from the McFadden Sale at Henkels, Philadelphia, 1923.