In the Hands of the Malays [ and 19 other examples of children's books in pictorial cloth bookbindings ]

Various publishers including Blackie & Son, Cassell and Co., Collins, J. Hogg, National Society's Depository, Nimmo & Co., S.W. Partridge, Religious Tract Society, J.F. Shaw, Wells Gardner, Darton & Co and others, miscellaneous editions, 1880s to perhaps 1930. 20 volumes, pictorial cloth, 8vo,. various paginations, some illustrated. A pleasing shelfful of some 20 books bound in pictorial cloth dating from the 1880s to the 1920s (one perhaps later)- the majority are undated though some could probably be identified with more research. A colourful group casting an interesting light on what children were reading something over a hundred years ago. The authors, titles, publishers and dates where an indication is present – are as follows: 1 Bell, Catherine D. : Home Sunshine, Collins' Clear-Type Press. 2 Bramston, M. : The Story of a Cat and a Cake During the Thirty Years' War... With... Illustrations by W. S. Stacey, National Society's Depository, bookplate 1904. 3 Caine, O. V. ; Ward, Enoch : Face to Face with Napoleon : An English Boy's Adventures in the Great French War, James Nisbet & Co. Limited, 1914 bookplate. 4 Cromarty, Deas : When Hearts Are Young : An Idyll, Religious Tract Society, 1926 bookplate. 5 Cummins, Maria Susanna : The Lamplighter, Etc, Blackie & Son Limited, 1899 bookplate. 6 Henty, G. A. : In the Hands of the Malays, and Other Stories, Etc, Blackie & Son Limited. 7 Hollings, Fanny Sophia : Lady Patience: A Story for Girls, Blackie & Son Limited, 1910 bookplate. 8 Hornibrook, J. Laurence ; Robson, Featherstone : The Parting of the Ways, S.W. Partridge & Co., 1911 bookplate 9 Ingelow, Jean : A Sister's Bye Hours, Wells Gardner, Darton & Co., 1917 bookplate 10 Jacberns, Raymond ; Stacey, W. S. : Robin, Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1911 bookplate. 11 Mathews, Joanna Hone : Maggie and Bessie, James Nisbet & Co. Limited, 1916 gift inscription. 12 Newton, Richard : The Giants and How to Fight Them. Nimmo, Hay & Mitchell, 1886. 13 Pickering, Edgar ; Speed, Lancelot : True to the Watchword : A Story of Adventure for Boys, Frederick Warne and Co, 1902 with 1903 bookplate. 14 Swan, Annie S. : The Better Part : A Story. S. W. Partridge & Co., eleventh edition. 15 Thynne, Harriet Frances Lady Charles Thynne : The Story of Herbert Archer; and Other Tales by Lady Charles Thynne, Amy Key, Mrs. Russell Gray and Others, Etc, J.ohn Hogg. 16 Walton, Mrs O. F.; Christie, the King's Servant : A Sequel to 'Christie's Old Organ', The Religious Tract Society, 1899 inscription. 17 Westerman, Percy Francis ; Wigfull, W. Edward : The Good Ship “Golden Effort,” Etc, Blackie & Son Limited, 1939 gift inscription. 18 Wetherell Elizabeth : The Wide Wide World, George Routledge and Sons, 1888 bookplate. 19 Whitaker, Evelyn : Tom's Opinion, Wells Gardner, Darton & Co., 1895 bookplate. 20 Winsford, John ; Brock, H. M. : The Secret of Samson's Farm, Cassell and Co., 1926. The books are generally a little rubbed and some have a little bumping and/or wear, several with contemporary prize or other bookplates or inscriptions. The contents are generally otherwise clean but in a few cases there is occasional -usually minor foxing - and/or agetoning, two or three volumes are more heavily agetoned. Book 2 in the list has the top inch of the title-page cut away and Book 20 is lacking the front free endpaper. Overall a Good group and an appealing display on the shelf.