JAMES, HENRY | A London Life, The Patagonia, The Liar, Mrs. Temperly. London: Macmillan and Co., 1889

The Property of a Gentleman

JAMES, HENRY

A London Life, The Patagonia, The Liar, Mrs. Temperly. London: Macmillan and Co., 1889

Two volumes, 8vo (4 5/8 x 7 in.; 120 x 180 mm). Half-titles, two title-pages, publisher's advertisements at the end of each volume; a few stray spots. Uniformly bound in original dark blue-green cloth, gilt rules to covers and spines, spines gilt lettered, black coated endpapers, some edges uncut, ownership inscription of Bertrand Russell on the front free endpaper (Vol. I), Amberley Cottage rubber stamp (Vol. II); slightly cocked, minor soiling to covers, minor rubbing to extremities, some splitting to endpapers. Each in custom quarter blue silk over marbled board clamshell cases. 

First edition, one of 500 two-volume sets, Bertrand Russell's copy

The present volumes belonged to an 18-year old Russell, future mathematician and philosopher. Amberley Cottage was a Russell family seat, and the 1890s the residence of Bertrand’s older brother Frank, second Earl Russell.

In his letters from the 1890s, Russell refers repeatedly to his interest in Henry James. In a letter of 18 August 1894, penned to his future wife, Alys, Russell wrote whilst on a train bound for Holyhead: "It is a deadly bore here, but I shall work and read Princess Casamassima which interests me much." Then, in a latter dated 19 October 1897, Russell wrote to G.E. Moore from the Palazzo Capello in Venice that: "We live in a palace with a huge hall longer than any of our College halls, out of which the rooms open. It has also a garden, which is rare in Venice, and the most charming furniture. It is described in Henry James’s Aspern Papers, which takes place in this house." (italics added) 

A scarce edition and wonderful association copy

REFERENCES

BAL 10586; Edel & Laurence A33a

PROVENANCE

Bertrand Russell (signature to front free endpaper of Vol. I; “Amberley Cottage Maidenhead” rubber stamp in Vol. II)