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    By W. P. Ryan
    London   Leonard Smithers
    9" by 6" 10-165 [2]pp
    The very scarce first issue of W. P. Ryan's survey of popular authors. A signed copy, with a letter from the author regarding the libel case brought against him by Marie Corelli for his analysis of her in this work.
    By W. P. Ryan

    1898 Literary London. Its Lights & Comedies

    London   Leonard Smithers
    9" by 6" 10-165 [2]pp
    The very scarce first issue of W. P. Ryan's survey of popular authors. A signed copy, with a letter from the author regarding the libel case brought against him by Marie Corelli for his analysis of her in this work.
    £340.00
    : 1kgs / : 986F11
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    Description

    Author's Presentation Copy, First Edition, Publishers' Original Binding, Signed, With Letter

    The first edition, first issue, with the imprint uncancelled.

    Inscribed by the author to a front blank, with 'Coulson Kernahan Esq. with kind regards from W. P. Ryan, London March '98', and with a letter from the author to Kernahan, a novelist of works of science fiction and suspense, loosely inserted.

    The letter explains that this first issue was suppressed because bestselling fiction-writer Marie Corelli threatened a libel action, because she 'thinks that the references on pages 80 + 81 [...] are libel upon her [...] I'd dearly love to contest this Corelli business to the bitter end. What do you think of the situation?'.

    The passages regarding Corelli appear under the heading 'Authors I Cannot Take Seriously', and includes accusations of her 'parboiled soulfulness' and 'somewhat undisciplined mind'.

    The original handwritten letter from the author is present, alongside both a typescript and a photocopy of it.

    In this work, the author offers a satirical review of the popular authors of late 19th century London.

    Condition

    In the publisher's original cloth binding. Bumping to back strip head and tail, with light rubbing to front board. Tide mark to fore edge of front board. Front hinge strained, but firmly held. Author's inscription to a front blank. Internally, firmly bound. Pages age toned due to paper type, with handling marks throughout, and the odd pencil notation and spot.

    Very Good

    Delivery & payment

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