AUD 
CAD 
EUR 
HKD 
PLN 
SGD 
CHF 
USD 
+44 01225 448831
sales@rookebooks.com
Literature
Great works of literature, often in their first edition. Classic and familiar stories as well as tales you have never heard before. We go back through four hundred years of storytelling.
-
1862 2Vols Beaten Paths; and Those Who Trod ThemLondon: 1862The first edition set complete in two volumes, Beaten Paths was the last work of Irish writer Thomas Colley Grattan, and is an autobiographical memoir that includes his encounter with Wordsworth and Coleridge in Brussels in 1828. -
1904 Lives of the Engineers: Early Engineering, Vermuyden, Myddelton, Perry, James BrindleyLondon: 1904The popular edition of Smiles’s work, chronicling the lives and undertakings of some of Britain’s greatest civil engineers, illustrated with plates and bound in a full green calf prize binding. -
1881 The Autobiography of Mark Rutherford, Dissenting MasterLondon: 1881An uncommon first edition of this fictious autobiography credited under William Hale White's two pseudonyms. -
1906 Two Years AgoLondon: 1906A smart Macmillan edition of Kingsley’s Two Years Ago delivers a Victorian tale of public health, duty, and reform, rebound in full green calf. -
1870 Ode on the Proclamation of the French RepublicLondon: 1870First edition in the publisher's original paper wraps, commemorating the declaration of the French Third Republic in lyrical ode form, with an original dedication to Victor Hugo. -
c1830 The Farmer's Boy; A Rural PoemLondon: c1830A finely rebound full-calf edition of Robert Bloomfield’s The Farmer’s Boy, the celebrated pastoral poem inspired by rural Suffolk life. -
1862 Accepted AddressesLondon: 1862The first edition of a scarce collection of The Telegraph journalist George Augustus Sala's writings, in the publisher's original green embossed cloth binding. -
1807-1823 6 Vols Curiosities of Literature; A Second Series of Curiosities of LiteratureLondon: 1807-1823A smartly rebound six-volume set of I. D’Israeli’s Curiosities of Literature, fifth edition of the first series and first edition of the second, featuring essays on literary history, eccentric anecdotes, and cultural curiosities. -
1925 5 Vols Five Pocket Edition Selected Works of Anthony HopeLondon; Calcutta; Sydney: 1925A smartly bound five-volume pocket edition of Anthony Hope’s best-known works, from the swashbuckling Prisoner of Zenda to romances, adventures, and witty sketches of society. -
1833 3Vols TrevelyanLondon: 1833A complete three-volume first edition set of Trevelyan by Lady Caroline Lucy Scott, a society novel of love, class, and morality, smartly bound in full calf. -
1799 Hudibras, in Three Parts, Written in the Time of the Late WarsLondon: 1799An exceptionally lovely two volume late 18th century edition of Samuel Butler's satirical poem, illustrated throughout with engraved plates after William Hogarth. -
1853 2 Vols Recollections of A Literary Life; or, Books, Places, and PeopleLondon: 1853A smartly bound two-volume set of the second edition of Mary Russell Mitford’s Recollections, blending personal memoir and lively literary essays, with chapters on favorite books, poets, and places. -
1847 History of the Life and Adventures of a MouseLondon: 1847A charming small souvenir pamphlet from the Monument in London, being the fictional diary of a resident mouse. -
1872-1876 3vol Memorials of a Quiet LifeLondon: 1872-1876The second edition of this three volume biographical work from English writer Augustus John Cuthbert Hare, on his adoptive mother. -
c1900 2vol Asprey Reference Library: Classics and Mythology & French and Latin QuotationsLondon: c1900Two smartly bound volumes from Asprey's Reference Library series, being a hand pocket dictionary and collection of quotations and proverbs. -
1825 Extracts from the Diary, Meditations, and Letters, of Mr. Joseph Williams Of Kidderminster to Which are Added, A Number of Original Letters to the Late Rev. Randall StirlingLondon: 1825A smartly copy of Joseph Williams’ diaries and letters, offering intimate spiritual reflections and pastoral counsel. -
1808 A History of the Early Part of the Reign of James the SecondLondon: 1808An extra-illustrated example of the first edition of Charles James Fox's posthumously published study of the reign of James II, a work with a decidedly Whig view of history. -
1853 Mr. Sponge's Sporting TourLondon: 1853The first edition of R. S. Surtees' complete Mr. Sponge story in book form, with thirteen coloured plates engraved on steel and numerous woodcut illustrations by John Leech. -
1835 Scenes and Legends of the North of Scotland, or the traditional History of CromartyEdinburgh: 1835A smart first edition of Hugh Miller's fantastic account of the legends, folklore, histories and traditions found in the Cromarty region of Scotland. -
1864 Apologia Pro Vita Sua: Being A Reply to a Pamphlet Entitled "What, Then, Does Dr. Newman Mean?"London: 1864A smartly bound first edition of this history of the author's religious opinions, in response to an attack by Charles Kingsley, bound in half morocco. -
1829 Le Chalet des Hautes-Alpes Suivi de Deux Feuillets du Journal de Mon Ami GustaveParis: 1829A very scarce copy of these short novels from Swiss writer and translator Isabelle de Montolieu, in the original French. -
1772 The Works of Shakespeare. In Twelve Volumes.London: 1772Handsomely bound in tree calf, this is a wonderful twelve volume edition of the dramatic works of William Shakespeare, from celebrated Shakespearian editor Lewis Theobald. -
1865 The Poetical Works of George HerbertLondon: 1865A smartly rebound copy of The Poetical Works of George Herbert, richly illustrated with 44 wood-engraved vignettes and ornate designs by leading Victorian artists and engravers. -
1899 The Pilgrim's ProgressLondon: 1899A fantastic limited edition of John Bunyan's renowned Christian allegory, printed by the Essex House private press and bound in full vellum. -
1893 The Life of John MyttonLondon: 1893A smartly rebound copy of The Life of John "Mad Jack" Mytton by Nimrod, complete with 16 colour plates, detailing the riotous exploits and eccentricities of one of Regency England’s most infamous rakes. -
1856 Prince Life: A Story for My BoyLondon: 1856A superior first UK edition of this very scarce illustrated story about a prince, written by G. P. R. James for his son. -
1893 Poems Dramatic and LyricalLondon: 1893The limited first edition of Baron de Tabley's poetry, a lovely collection with illustrations throughout. -
1887 Poems by Thomas GrayLondon: 1887A finely bound Eton College prize copy of Thomas Gray’s poetry by Riviere & Son, illustrated with engraved plates. -
1883 Dramatic Works of ShakespeareEdinburgh : 1883A very scarce complete limited edition set of William Shakespeare's works, illustrated with etched plates and presented here in half morocco. -
1919 The Tale of Johnny Town-MouseLondon: 1919An exceptionally bright example of an early edition of Beatrix Potter's charming retelling of Aesop's 'The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse'. -
1904 Salaman & Absal: An AllegoryLondon: 1904An illustrated translation of an allegorical Sufi poem by the Persian Sufi poet Jami, with illustrations throughout. -
1820 The Life and Adventures of Don QuixoteLondon: 1820A complete calf-bound new edition of this pioneering novel, illustrated with engravings from designs by Richard Westall. -
1975 Le Livre du Cueur D'Amours Espris: The National Library, ViennaLondon: 1975A very pleasing facsimile collection of the manuscript pages of Rene d'Anjou's fifteenth century allegorical work Le Livre du Cueur D'Amours Espris. -
1938 Tanglewood Tales; Stories from The Arabian Nights; The Sleeping Beauty and Other Fairy TalesLondon: 1938A delightful selection of children's fairy tales, folk tales and myths, all of which are adorned with colour plates by Edmund Dulac. -
Signed
1990 Francis KilvertMid Glamorgan: 1990A signed first edition biography of Francis Kilvert, finely rebound by Ipsley Bindery with illustrations, offering a richly researched portrait of the Victorian diarist. -
1931 The Crime of Sylvestre BonnardLondon: 1931The first UK illustrated edition, with original unclipped fine dust wrapper and slipcase and twelve full page monochrome illustrations by Zhenya Gay.