Mary Howitt: An Autobiography, Mary Howitt — 1st Edition

£75.00

Mary Howitt: An Autobiography, Mary Howitt — 1st Edition

Name: Mary Howitt: An Autobiography, Mary Howitt — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6307
Price: 75.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Wm. Isbister Limited, 1889

Formatting: 8vo, 2 volumes.

Condition Report: Good. The volumes are bound in the publisher's original blue cloth with gilt titling to the spines, though both show noticeable wear and age. The boards are visibly mottled with damp-staining and surface discoloration, most prominently on the rear panels, while the extremities are bumped and rubbed, with some fraying to the cloth at the spine heads and tails. The bindings remain relatively firm, and the text blocks are sound, though the untrimmed edges are noticeably toned and dusty. Internally, the pages are largely clean, with only minor, scattered foxing primarily confined to the preliminary leaves. The fine Woodburytype photographic frontispieces in both volumes remain well-preserved and bright.

Catalogue Note: This is a first edition, complete in two volumes, of Mary Howitt's autobiography. The set is notable for its inclusion of two mounted Woodburytype photographic portraits of the author serving as frontispieces.

The Woodburytype, a photomechanical process popular in the late nineteenth century, is highly regarded for its ability to produce rich, continuous-tone images that resist fading. Both portraits feature a printed facsimile of Howitt's signature.

While the original blue cloth binding is worn on this copy, first editions of this work complete in both volumes have become increasingly scarce on the open market.

Mary Howitt (1799–1888) was a prolific English writer, poet, and translator who, alongside her husband William Howitt, authored over 180 books. Best remembered today for her enduring poem "The Spider and the Fly," she was an important figure in nineteenth-century literary circles, translating the works of Hans Christian Andersen into English and associating with major authors of the era. This comprehensive autobiography, compiled and edited by her daughter Margaret shortly after Mary's death, offers a rich, personal insight into a long and fascinating life. The volumes chart her strict Quaker upbringing, her extensive literary career, her travels, and her eventual conversion to Catholicism in her final years.

Book Condition: Good

Book Authors: Mary Howitt, Margaret Howitt (Editor)

Book Publisher: Wm. Isbister Limited

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Autobiography, Biography & Memoirs

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages:

Book Publication Year: 1889

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.