Farjeon, Benjamin Leopold

Grif; a story of Australian life. London: Tinsley Brothers, 1870, 8vo (195 x 135 mm.), 2 volumes, first English edition, half-titles, inscribed by the author on the title-page, original bright blue cloth with title in gilt on spines, [Sadleir 846a, Wolff 2134], volume two recased with new endpapers, some light soiling and wear to covers; Miser Farebrother. London: Ward and Downey, 1888, 8vo (196 x 140 mm.), 3 volumes, first edition, half-titles, decorated endpapers, inscription awarding the book as a prize on front free endpapers, original sky blue cloth with a sprig of blossom blocked in dark blue on the upper covers, [not in Sadleir or Wolff], somewhat rubbed, especially at spines, some soiling, occasional ink spattering, [with, loosely inserted in volume one:] autograph letter signed by the author ("Ben L. Farjeon"), to Hatton, 2 pages, 8vo, headed stationery of 196 Adelaide Road, London, "Monday morning", and another unrelated note; The Sacred Nugget. London: Ward and Downey, 1885, 8vo (189 x 124mm.), 3 volumes, first edition, presentation copy inscribed by the author's widow Margaret on front endpaper (in 1904, the year after the author's death), half-titles, advertisements, original  bronze cloth lettered and decorated in black, floral endpapers, [not in Sadleir or Wolff]; Joshua Marvel. London: Tinsley Brothers, 1871, 8vo (190 x 129mm.), 3 volumes, first edition, presentation copy inscribed by the author at the Garrick Club, half-titles, original dark green bubble-grain cloth, covers decorated in blind, spines lettered in gilt, [Sadleir 849; Wolff 2137], neat repairs to spines

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
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Benjamin Farjeon (1838-1903), a disciple of Dickens and Wilkie Collins, was born to Jewish parents in Whitechapel, and emigrated to Australia at the age of 16. Later settling in New Zealand, his first novel - The Life and Adventures of Christopher Cogleton (1862-63) - was the first novel printed in the colony. Grif (Dunedin, 1866) drew upon his youth in the goldfields of Victoria, and on the back of its considerable success Farjeon returned to England to pursue his literary career. His daughter Eleanor Farjeon (1881--1965) became a distinguished children's writer.