The Works of Leonard Merrick: 14 Volumes
New York: E.P. Dutton, 1918-1927. Limited Edition. 8vo. Near Fine. Item #18791
Beautiful set of 14 volumes, finely bound in three-quarter green levant morocco, with introductions from many of the most accomplished authors of the day, such as J.M. Barrie, G.K. Chesterton, H.G. Wells, and William Dean Howells, who admired the work of the "novelist's novelist".
"George Orwell, while describing Merrick as a "good bad writer", rather than a strictly good writer, admitted to a great admiration for his work; he particularly praised Cynthia (which was also a favourite of Chesterton's), the story of a struggling writer and his wife, and The Position of Peggy Harper, with its portrayal of the unromantic side of provincial theatre. In Orwell's view, nobody conveyed better than Merrick how dreary and dispiriting an actor's life can be. Graham Greene, another admirer, had recruited Orwell to write an introduction to any work by Merrick while Greene was publisher for Eyre & Spottiswoode in 1944." - wiki
Fourteen volumes (of 15 originally issued). Green levant morocco over marbled paper-covered boards. Raised bands to spine. Gilt titling and tooling. Marbled endpapers. Square tight bindings. Clean interiors. Light tanning to pages. Spines aged to a rich, golden brown.
Overall an attractive and desirable set from this 19th-century English author.
Price: $250.00