[Printed catalogue.] One Thousand English Books all in handsome Bindings recommended by B. F. Stevens for the Foundation of the English Portion of an American Home Library.

Author: 
B. F. Stevens [Benjamin Franklin Stevens] of Vermont, London-based American bookseller, 17 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden [The Chiswick Press, Whittingham and Willkins, Tooks Court, Chancery Lane]
Publication details: 
B. F. Stevens, 17 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, London, England. [1874.] [Chiswick Press: Printed by Whittingham and Wilkins, Tooks Court, Chancery Lane, London, England.]
£280.00
SKU: 14425

Not paginated. [107]pp., 16mo. Internally good and tight, elegantly printed in red and black. In original heavily-worn green leather binding. Small leaf, printed on both sides, advertising the book, loosely inserted. In the twenty-two lines on the reverse Stevens states that 'The price of all these books in substantial andn ornamental bindings of great variety, with leather, calf, morocco or russia backs and corners, and muslin on paper sides, is Four Hundred Guineas (420l.) If with full leather backs and sides, very handsome, the price is Four Hundred and Fifty Guineas (472l. 10s.)'. The volume has a three-page preface by Stevens ('American Library and Literary Agency, 17, Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, London, England.') in which he refers to his 'dozen years' experience as purchasing agent in London for American Libraries'. Six-page 'Classified Index' followed by list of the '1000 English Books', alphabetical under author (names in red), from 'A'Beckett, G.A. Comic History of England. 2 vols. 8o.' to 'Young Lady's Book. A Manual of Elegant Recreations, Arts, Sciences, and Accomplishments; including Geology, Mineralogy, Conchology, Botany, Entomology, Ornithology, Costume, Embroidery, the Escritoire, Archery, Riding, Music (instrumental and vocal), Dancing, Exercises, Painting, Photography, etc., etc. Edited by distinguished Professors. 1,200 woodcut illustrations, and several fine engravings on steel, post 8o.' Last page with Chiswick Press lion device and colophon, preceded by two pages on 'Stevens's American Literary and Library Agency', at the end of which he is described as 'Despatch Agent of the United States'; this in turn preceded by fourteen pages of 'English Newspapers and Magazines, with Prices of Subscription.' Excessively scarce: the only copy found on COPAC at Oxford.