Recreations of a Literary Man, Percy Fitzgerald — New Edition

£32.00

Recreations of a Literary Man, Percy Fitzgerald — New Edition

Name: Recreations of a Literary Man, Percy Fitzgerald — New Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4917
Price: 32.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

Write Review

In stock

£32.00

Shipping is calculated at checkout.

Publication: London, Chatto and Windus, Piccadilly, 1883

Formatting: 8vo.

Condition Report: Good. The original publisher’s cloth binding remains entirely intact and fundamentally sound, though it exhibits moderate shelf-wear commensurate with its age. There is noticeable rubbing to the head and tail of the spine, along with gently bumped corners and minor wear at the extreme edges. The grey cloth boards display general scuffing and handling marks, yet the gilt lettering and decorative vignettes on the front board and spine remain bright and unoxidised. Internally, the binding is tight and the hinges are secure. The most significant condition issue is the moderate to heavy foxing present on the preliminary leaves and endpapers, which extends intermittently into the text block. As is standard for this issue, the page edges are untrimmed and show dust-dulling and darkening from handling and time.

Catalogue Note: This 1883 "New Edition" of Percy Fitzgerald's Recreations of a Literary Man; or, Does Writing Pay? condenses the original two-volume 1882 release into a more accessible, single-volume format. It is presented in the publisher's attractive grey cloth binding, decorated with intricate black foliate borders and a central gilt vignette of a classical lamp of learning.

Percy Fitzgerald was a highly prolific Victorian author, critic, and a key figure in Charles Dickens's inner circle. This volume is particularly sought after for its extensive reflections on the contemporary literary landscape, notably featuring invaluable chapters dedicated to his interactions and professional relationship with Dickens. While the first edition commands a premium, this early single-volume iteration remains a scarce find on the open market, especially when retaining its original publisher's cloth and untrimmed state.

In Recreations of a Literary Man, the Victorian critic and author Percy Fitzgerald offers a candid, behind-the-scenes examination of the 19th-century writer's life. Directly addressing the practical and often precarious question, "Does writing pay?" Fitzgerald blends pragmatic industry insights with charming reminiscences of his legendary contemporaries. Most significantly, the text serves as a vital historical record, providing readers with intimate, first-hand accounts of his mentor, Charles Dickens, both as an editor and a friend. It is an absorbing and essential volume for anyone fascinated by the commercial realities and creative mechanics of the Victorian literary establishment.

Book Condition: Good

Book Authors: Percy Fitzgerald

Book Publisher: Chatto and Windus

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Criticism & Essays

Book edition:

Signed: No

Book Pages:

Book Publication Year: 1883

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.