Rosenbach: A Biography, Edwin Wolf 2nd and John F. Fleming

£29.70

Rosenbach: A Biography, Edwin Wolf 2nd and John F. Fleming

Name: Rosenbach: A Biography, Edwin Wolf 2nd and John F. Fleming
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6735
Price: 29.70 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: Cleveland and New York, The World Publishing Company, 1960.

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 616.

Condition Report: Very Good. The book is tightly bound and rests square, retaining a firm structural integrity with no leaning. The publisher's boards remain largely clean, exhibiting only minor shelf-wear to the edges. Internally, the pages are crisp and free of significant foxing, though the page block edges show mild, age-related toning typical of the paper stock. The original dust jacket is entirely intact but displays moderate surface rubbing to the panels and shallow chipping at the head and tail of the spine.

Catalogue Note: This is a second printing of the first edition, issued shortly after the initial run to meet high demand within the book trade. The volume features a striking frontispiece portrait of Rosenbach and includes photographic illustrations charting his illustrious career and the legendary libraries he handled.

While unsigned and lacking specific notable provenance, this copy serves as a pristine working reference for the antiquarian trade. Standard trade editions of this biography are relatively common on the open market, though copies retaining intact, vibrant dust jackets without severe sunning or loss are becoming increasingly desirable for collectors of books about books.

Dr A.S.W. Rosenbach was unequivocally the greatest, most flamboyant antiquarian bookseller of the twentieth century. Dubbed the "Napoleon of Booksellers," he acquired entire libraries, broke auction records with theatrical nonchalance, and built the foundational collections of titans like Folger, Huntington, and Morgan. Written by two of his closest associates, Edwin Wolf 2nd and John F. Fleming, this monumental, insider’s biography offers an intimate and comprehensive look into the high-stakes, eccentric world of rare book collecting during its golden age.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Edwin Wolf 2nd, John F. Fleming

Book Publisher: The World Publishing Company

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Autobiography, Biography & Memoirs

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 616

Book Publication Year: 1960

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Cleveland, United States

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.