[ Ex-Officers Book Union, London. ] Printed book catalogue ('Part I'): 'A Collection of Choice & Charming Books of the 17th 18ty & 19th Centuries & a few Modern Authors offered for sale by the Ex-Officers Book Union'.

Author: 
[ Major George William Redway (1859-1934), soldier and military historian, trading as bookseller under the name ] 'Ex-Officers Book Union', Ealing, London
Publication details: 
London: 16 Rathgar Avenue, West Ealing. [ The Westminster Press, London W. ]
£45.00
SKU: 20668

The 'Ex-Officers' Book Union' (the apostrophe was omitted in later years) was an obscure business. The firm was certainly active between 1919 and 1936, mostly from 16 Rathgar Avenue, West Ealing. In the early 1930s its address was given as '87 Bishop's Mansions, S.W.6', which was also Redway's residence. It seems likely that the business was a joint-venture between Redway and at least one other former army officer. The present item is 40pp., small 4to. Stapled in brown printed wraps. In fair condition, lightly aged, on worn and creased wraps. First page with drop-head title: 'Catalogue of the . . . . . . . Collection | Part I.' Printed across the inside of the wraps is a long quotation from Temple Scott's 'What is a Book-Collector?' Printed in double-column. The entries are priced, but not numbered. A mid-range catalogue, mainly comprising English authors from Shakespeare to Dickens, but also with such running titles as 'Little Childrens' Books', 'Old Boxing Books', 'Early School Books', 'Old Devotional Books', 'Black and White Artists', 'Thackeray Books', 'Illustrated Books', 'Etchings by John Leech and “Phiz”', 'Old Ballads and Comic Songs', 'Americana', 'The Status of Women', 'Mythology and Mysticism', 'Alchemy and Astrology', 'Club and Society Gossip', 'Modern Theosophy' and 'Regimental Histories'. The most expensive items, apart from an 11th edition Encyclopaedia Britannica at £45, are original drawings by Herbert Railton and Hugh Thompson, at thirty pounds apiece. None of the firm's catalogues are to be found on either OCLC WorldCat or on COPAC, except for a run at the New York Public Library.