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Stated First Edition. Hard cover 8vo in a Beardsley-inspired decorated black cloth binding blocked in gold and designed by the American illustrator and typographer, Will H. Bradley, (with his initial B in lower left of illustration.) then employed at the University Press, John Wilson & Son, Cambridge, Massachusetts where the book was printed. Front board features abstracted figures of two women surrounded by hearts, a dove and roses in a striking art nouveau style. Ruled borders delineate fields for the above illustration, with title box below, and a smaller vignette image of a cross with heart pierced by an arrow nearer the fore edge. A similar but not identical vignette of arrows, cross and roses appears on the spine, with tile above and publisher's name below. Rear board is plain. Top edge gilt, others untrimmed. viii, 297pp. on laid paper. **CONDITION: Very Good, with some minor soiling and rubbing to front board. Hinges and joints in order. An old bookseller note in pencil to front endpaper. An area of browning to outer corner of the rear fly leaves, and one small ghost of a paperclip? to top edge one page, see photo. A bit age toned overall, and binding slightly cocked. A gift inscription to ffep. in old ink dated '09 may invite further investigation. **In this turn of the century British novel, Theophilus Londonderry, a young nonconformist lay pastor of the New Zion Chapel, of the fictional northern industrial town of Coalchester, must weigh up implications of being in love with two women. The author employs much sardonic wit in describing the town's old-school "Lit and Phil"-run lyceum overtaken by the young turks of modernism, publishers of a weekly publication, appropriately called, "New Dawn." The New Woman, employed, independent, a smoker and with a "past," is embodied in Isobel Strange, whose arrival to lecture at the New Zion meeting room throws Theo into romantic disarray. Will he maintain a planned engagement to Jenny Talbot, the daughter of his rooming house hosts? Or give in to his struck-by-lightening attraction to Isobel? Resistance to modernizing cultural innovations from William Morris wallpaper to the music of Dvořák round out the contextual climate.**Liverpool-born Author Richard Le Gallienne, (1866-1947) while thrice married, was also famous for a youthful relationship with Oscar Wilde, and sometimes described as the latter's "acolyte." He contributed to the "Yellow Book" during the 1890's, where he must have made the acquaintance of their mutual publishers represented here. REFS.: Bambace (1995) A40. Morris and Levin (2000) No. 69 for cover design by Will H. Bradley. (AMJ)
Ref: FICT19 9798
$325.00