Rare books from Lord Durham Rare Books (IOBA)

2009. Hard & Soft cover. THE QUEEN OF ROMANCE FICTION, A HOLLYWOOD ICON OF THE 1920s Elinor Glyn was an English author, journalist and screen writer and best known for Three Weeks (1907) a steamy romance novel which was shocking for its time. She specialised in romantic fiction which was considered scandalous for its time, although her works are relatively tame by modern standards. Her vibrant romances dealt with aristocracy and issues of morality in society. She popularized the concept of the It-girl and had tremendous influence on early 20th-century popular culture and, possibly, on the careers of notable Hollywood stars such as Rudolph Valentino, Gloria Swanson and, especially, Clara Bow.This large collection contains 168 items dating from 1902 to 2009, specifically, 60 Ephemera and archives, 103 Books and 5 Books about Elinor Glyn and related material. 60 Ephemera and archives:• Autograph page from a guest book signed by Glyn, Margot Glyn (her daughter), and others, 1-3 August 1912.• "The… Read More

1977. No binding & hard cover. Daphne du Maurier collection pertaining to two books: her novel, The Glass-Blowers (published 1963); and Myself When Young (published 1977).The collection consists of 8 items dating from 1977 to 1963, specifically;• Novel The Glass-Blowers 1 manuscript notebook, 1 letter from an American agent, and 2 books (one inscribed) plus 2 complete typescript of two books, • Novel Myself When Young 1 Typescript and 2 Final Galley Proofs of Myself When Young.The Glass-Blowers (published 1963) material:In her novel The Glass-Blowers, du Maurier recounts the tale of her forebears, the Busson family of master glass-blowers, leading up to and through the French Revolution. Sophie Duval reveals to her long-lost nephew the tragic story of a family of master craftsmen in eighteenth-century France. Drawing on her own family's tale of tradition and sorrow, du Maurier weaves an unforgettable saga of beauty, war, and family. 1 Manuscript Notebook:• "The Bussons". Ms. notebook, blue… Read More

London: Charles Eyre and Andrew Strahan, 1791. 1st Edition. No binding. ENGLISH "UPPER CANADA" & FRENCH "LOWER CANADA" CREATED First edition. 1791. Folio (11-1/2 inches). General title leaf imprint from series t.p., 28 pages [1269]-1296. Woodcut Royal coat of arms, headpiece ornament, and decorative initial. Text in black letter. Neatly extracted from a bound volume and expertly mended. Very good. TPL 629The bill was introduced in the House of Commons by William Pitt in March of 1791. The act was passed by the British Parliament on June 10, 1791, and was to take effect on December 26, 1791. This was a first step towards Canadian Confederation.The Constitutional Act also called Canada Act, reformed the government of the Province of Quebec from what had been outlined by the Quebec Act in 1774 to accommodate the influx of 10,000+ English-speaking Empire Loyalists that had fled the United States after the American Revolution to settle and develop the country west of the Ottawa River. These new settlers… Read More

1989. No binding & hard cover. Good. & HUXLEY, Elspeth (1907-1997). The Huxley family is a notable British family. Several family members have excelled in science, medicine, arts, and literature. Thomas Henry Huxley (1825-1895), the patriarch of the family, was a zoologist, comparative anatomist, and friend of Charles Darwin. His grandsons include Aldous Huxley (1894-1963), the novelist and author of Brave New World and The Doors of Perception, and his brother, Sir Julian S. Huxley, (1987-1975), a biologist, eugenicist, and the first director of UNESCO. Sir Julian's wife was Lady Juliette Huxley (1896-1994, née Mairie Juliette Baillot), a Swiss-French sculptor and writer. Elspeth Huxley (1907-1997) was a polymath, writer, journalist, broadcaster, magistrate, environmentalist, farmer, and government advisor, best known for her lyrical books The Flame Trees of Thika and The Mottled Lizard which were based on her experiences growing up in a coffee farm in Colonial Kenya. Her husband, Gervas Huxley,… Read More

London: Official British Government Report [HMSO], 1839. 1st Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good. A LANDMARK AND IMPORTANT BOOK IN CANADIAN HISTORY. First folio UK complete edition. 8-1/4 x 13-1/4 inches. House of Commons, London, 1839.  [11 Feb. 1839]. Inside pages uncut (deckled edges) and bound in new half tan calf, dark brown morocco label, raised bands new end papers and marbled boards with age-toned paper with very light spotting, otherwise in very good condition.Lord Durham was sent to Canada in 1838 as Governor General to inquire into the Rebellion of 1837. His report recommended the union of Upper and Lower Canada and the granting of responsible government (except in foreign affairs, trade regulation, constitutional change, and land grants).Original first published, British Parliamentary Paper 1839.Complete report: [bound with] the 5 Appendices A to E inclusive. Map with numerous tables. Collation:Main Report: iv, [5]-119pp., [1]p. folio. Ordered to be Printed February 11, 1839. [London, 1839]… Read More

1943. various. No binding & soft cover. A collection of 147 mostly unique ephemera items dating from 1892 to 1943, specifically approximately 70 leaflets and chapbooks, approximately 50 letters, 11 broadsides, 11 photos, 3 manuscripts/typescripts, 1 scrapbook, and 1 book.Edwin Markham (né Charles Edward Anson Markham, (1852-1940) was an American poet, Poet Laureate of Oregon, best remembered for his poems, "Lincoln, the Man of the People" (read by Markham at the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial in 1922) and "The Man with the Hoe" (inspired by Jean-François Millet's painting).Florence Hamilton (née Danforth, 1873-1968) was the lecture manager and secretary to Edwin Markham from 1920 until he suffered a debilitating stroke in 1936. After Markham's death, she made a donation of his manuscripts to the Library of Congress. Hamilton published several volumes of her own poetry, lectured on poetry herself, and was an active member of several organizations for poets. Lincoln & Other Poems. New York:… Read More

Various: Various, 1996. No binding & hard cover. Good. The collection has original material pertaining to 22 American women poets, dating from 1842-1996 a total of 63 items, specifically 30 letters, 14 pieces of ephemera, 8 typescripts / manuscripts, 8 books, and 4 photos. Includes 2 pieces from Louise Glück, the winner of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Literature:BATES, Charlotte Fiske (signed Charlotte Rogé; American poet and associate of Longfellow). • ALS to Mrs. Swift, 10 June 1891. Thanks Mrs. Swift for the "very sweet and heartfelt poem written for my wedding". Signed ms., split in the center, "At Philadelphia", July 4, 1876. On the left margin, Bates has written: "This is coming out in the Cong. this week, but as you will be away I give you this MS I have." The words "June Missionary Church" are written in the upper right of the sheet of paper.  This is a famous, patriotic verse poem in six stanzas separated here by horizontal lines drawn by the poet.BROWN, Alice (American novelist, poet, and… Read More

1936. No binding. Good. Zane Grey (1872-1939) was a prolific American author who idealized the American frontier, best known for his popular adventure novels and stories associated with the Old West.This is a unique and varied collection of archival documents which offers a vista into Grey's popularity as a best-selling author and celebrity of legendary status. The collection contains approximately 89 letters, 1919-1936, accompanied by news clippings and other enclosures. The letters have envelopes and are addressed to Grey. Many of the envelopes have "ans x" or another designation in Grey's hand. Several have drafts of replies written by Grey or are annotated by him. In addition, there are: 5 photos (two of Grey, one at a fishing camp with Captain Mitchell and others, and the other of Grey fishing on the Rogue River); 2 negatives; 2 cancelled signed checks (Lillian E. Robertson, Grey's cousin by marriage and illustrator of his many books; the other to Jess Smith, Grey's guide who married… Read More

[Québec]: Pierre-Edouard Desbarats, 1801. 1st Edition. No binding. Very Good. FIRST CANADIAN 1801 PRINTING OF PROCLAMATIONS REGARDING THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND "ACT OF UNION" AND A NEW UNION JACK FLAG DESIGN.First Canadian edition on paper watermarked with "Cobb's Patent 1798". 8-1/4 x 10 inches. [2]-11 p., Bilingual with English and French on facing pages. Disbound, removed from bound volume, tear marks on spine edges not affecting text, some age-toning to paper, otherwise, very good condition.[Quebec, printed by Pierre-Edouard Desbarats, New Printing Office. 1801] - John Neilson became a 50% partner in 1800 but not named in this business] Hare & Wallot state that the records of the printer, John Neilson, indicate that only 150 copies of this proclamation were printed.Hare et Wallot 2. Vlach, Impressions, 635. TPL 755, Lande 388. Gagnon I;11. A Proclamation, Declaring what Ensigns or Colours shall be borne at Sea in Merchant Ships or Vessels belonging to any of His Majesty's… Read More

New York: John Lane, 1998. Hard Cover. Very Good/Good. FEATURES RARE SUNSHINE SKETCHES 1ST AMERICAN ISSUE WITH DUST JACKET & SIGNED Collection includes 9 books, two of which are early works in dust jacket and 4 ephemera. Of special importance is first American issue of Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town in rare dust jacket and signed, plus 1912 Canadian issue of Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town with very rare front panel of the 1st Canadian Issue dust jacket mounted on inside front cover. Plus, one signed Leacock postcard to Mr. Trevellian, dated 10 March 1940 and Leacock stamp and drawing on envelope (12 Nov. 1969), first day of issue.9 Books:• Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town. New York: John Lane, 1912. First American issue, first printing, in dust jacket. Brown cloth with cream lettering (stamping on spine missing a few letters). The jacket, featuring an illustration of Jos. Smith by Hovsh on the front panel, is in very good condition - small piece missing from the back panel, tiny chips on… Read More

[Ottawa]: Department of Secretary of State, Canada, 1982. 1st Edition. Framed. Near Fine. EXTREMELY IMPORTANT RARE CANADIAN SIGNED PRINTED DOCUMENT This 1982 Charter printed document is in a wooden frame 25-1/2 x 19-1/2 inches. The printed document is flat size 22-7/8 x 17-1/2 inches (not examined outside of frame). This 1982 Charter printed document is in a wooden frame 25-1/2 x 19-1/2 inches. The printed document is flat size 22-7/8 x 17-1/2 inches (not examined outside of frame). The value and historical importance of this document is the hand-signed Trudeau's (1982) and Chrétien's signatures.The first inscription is located on top right right, specifically, "P.E. Trudeau 1982" the same year as the signing of the original Canada Act which included the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The second hand-signature located on the top left is "Best Wishes, Jean Chrétien" (not dated). Chrétien was one of the four people who signed the two original Canada Act documents in April 1982. "In a kind gesture… Read More

London, Ottawa, and NY: Topley, Lafayette Ltd., Brown Brothers, 1910. No binding. Good. 7 b&w cabinet photos. • Laurier, 36 years of age, 1877, 165 × 108 mm., image somewhat faded, Topley, Ottawa.• Laurier, 1880s?, 167 × 110 mm., Topley, Ottawa, verso also stamped with the address of Brown Brothers, New York.• Also a larger version, 197 × 164 mm., top and book of the corners of the card damaged on the right side, with stamps on the verso of Brown Brothers and Frank A. Munsey Co.• Laurier seated with a book in his hand (some damage to the bottom with tape on the bottom right corner). Lafayette Ltd. • Laurier's head and chest (very good condition). Lafayette Ltd. Circa 1897 or slightly later. 168 × 110 mm. • Also a cropped duplicate, 153 × 110 mm., in which the bottom and attribution to Lafayette has been cut (stamped M.E. Berner Photographs and address in New York). The above three photos issued by Lafayette are from the same sitting but different cropping. Verso of each photo is… Read More

various: various, 1949. 1st Edition. No binding. Good. Circa 130 documents (letters, reports, etc.), mainly written in French, some in English, a few in German, some annotations in Arabic. Most documents are addressed to the Directeur Général, Musée Egyptien, in Cairo. This collection is a veritable who's who in Egyptology for the period during the British administration of Egypt when under the terms of the Entente Cordiale, French archeologists were in charge of the Egyptian Museum and French was the recognized lingua franca in that country. "There are, for example, 4 letters written by Gaston Maspero (Museum's Director, 1899-1914), many documents signed by Pierre Lacau (Director, 1914-36), and several signed by Reginald Engelbach (Director, 1931-1941). On 6 April 1908, Gaspero announces the death of Émile Galtier, the Museum's librarian, and the appointment of Lacau as his successor to the post. On 20 May 1908, Gaspero engages J. Zerkowitz for 11 months as the European secretary for le Service… Read More

1800. Hard Cover. Good. Dr. John Moore was a Scottish physician, travel author, novelist, and editor of the works of Tobias SmollettThis collection has 7 books (14 vols.), dating from 1781 to 1800 including copies of his three novels, a travel book about Italy, and his reflections on the French Revolution.7 Books (14 vols.):• A View of Society and Manners in Italy: with Anecdotes Relating to Some Eminent Characters. London: Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell, 1781. 2 vols. First edition. xv, 518 pp.; xii, 502 plus final blank, 16 (ads) pp. Full brown leather, labels on the spine in gilt, minor cracking at the spine. Very good. "One of the most sober and well balanced views of Italy published in the eighteenth century" (Pine-Coffin). Moore's description of Venice includes a lengthy digression on the rise and fall of that powerful city state. There is an amusing account of the visit the duke and he paid to the pope. "At Florence they often saw Prince Charles Edward Stuart and his still attractive… Read More

London: printed for J. Dodsley in Pall Mall, 1769. 1st Edition. Hard Cover. Good. Set in Canada, it is considered to be the first Canadian novel.First edition. 4 volumes. 12mo, pp. [vii], [1], 240; [2], 240; [4], 223, [1]; [4], 213, [1]. Lacking leaf L1 (pp. 217-8) in vol. 1 (but with a photocopy of the missing text supplied), and also the half titles in each volume; C6 (pp. 35-6) loose in volume III (secured in place with an old pin); short tear in H1 in volume IV (no loss), and final leaf K11 with a more serious tear, affecting the text but without loss. Good condition overall. Marbled paper boards, quarter calf, somewhat rubbed, corners bumped, spines chipped at tops and bottoms, morocco labels. Manuscript notes (2 pp.) in an early hand on the endpapers to vol. Manuscript is about the province of Quebec, "according to an acct. taken by General Murray in 1765", noting its agriculture and its progress in exporting 'corn, timber, fish, skins, leather, furs &c". Later inscription of W.M. Stawell, and… Read More