The Martian a Novel - Rare Book Insider
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George du Maurier

The Martian a Novel

Harper & Brothers, London and New York: 1898
  • $197
George du Maurier's autobiographical novel, a smart limited edition copy, complete with illustrations by the author. A limited edition, limited to 250 large paper copies, of which this is numbered 31.'The Martian' follows the life of Barty Josselin, told by his good friend Robert Maurice. The tale starts with their school days in Paris in the 1850s, and follows as they return to England. Josselin's vision fails, and travels in order to find a cure. During this journey he has a dream in which a spirit from Mars, named Martia, comes to him and offers his guidance.Illustrated with a frontispiece, six plates, and many in-text illustrations.Collated, complete.Written and illustrated by George du Maurier. This is a largely autobiographical novel by the author known for his cartoons and Gothic novel 'Trilby'. He was also the grandfather of author Daphne du Maurier, and the grandfather of the five boys who inspired J. M. Barrie in writing 'Peter Pan'.Bookplate of Francis Bullard to the front paste down. In the original publisher's quarter vellum binding with cloth to the boards. Externally, smart, with some light marks to the boards and spine. Minor bumping to the extremities. Very small chip to the head of the spine. Discolouration to the extremities of the boards. Bookplate to the front paste down. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Very Good
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The Merchant of Prato: Francesco di Marco Datini

Iris Origo A fascinating and beautifully illustrated biography of the Italian merchant Francesco Datini, whose private and business papers offer a valuable record of medieval trade. The first edition of this work in the publisher's original cloth binding, with the original unclipped dust wrapper. Illustrated with a colour frontispiece, three further colour plates, and twenty-one black and white illustrations. Collated, complete. Iris Origo's biography of Francesco Datini, an Italian merchant of Prato who is notable for having implemented the first partnership system in business in 1383. When he died in 1410, he left instructions to preserve all of his private business papers; and so they were, in a remarkable and unique collection of about one hundred and fifty thousand letters, more than five hundred ledgers and account books, as well as numerous insurance policies, bills of exchange, and much more. Origo presents the human side of those papers, creating a vivid picture of the man that was Francesco Datini, and the life he led in a fourteenth-century Italy. In the publisher's original cloth binding, with the original unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, cloth is in lovely condition. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Dust wrapper is smart, though sunned to the spine with a scattering of spots to the panels and a little chipping to the head and tail of the spine. Three small tape repairs to the reverse of the wrap. Fine
  • $129