TRANSLATION OF POEMS, ANCIENT AND MODERN
Book Details + Condition: Printed for Hatchard and Co (London). First Signed Edition, 1862. Hardcover with decorated dark red boards; gilt to front and spine, with raised bands; gilt to all edges. 203 pages. Signed and inscribed from the author, "Derby", aka Edward George Geoffrey Smith-Stanley Derby, 14th Earl of Derby, to A.Townsley (?)ashen, on the inside front board. The inscription reads, "A. Townsley _ashen Esq. From his old and sincere friend, Derby." For more on 14th Earl of Derby, please see below. Also bears the bookplate of Reginald Arthur Tatten, who transformed his estate, Cuerden Hall, into a hospital during World War I. The scarce work is listed on the title page as "not published" and is the author's translations of poems both "ancient and modern".
"Edward George Geoffrey Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby, (March 1799 – 23 October 1869), was a British Prime Minister and Conservative politician who served three times as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. To date, he is the longest-serving leader of the Conservative Party. He is one of only four British prime ministers to have three or more separate periods in office. Derby introduced the state education system in Ireland, and reformed Parliament. Later in life he devoted himself to the literary arts." [Wikipedia]
Firm binding; wear to boards, with rubbing, darkening and discoloration present; front board appears to have been re-attached, and remains solid; interior front hinge cracked; interior is clean and free of markings, save aforementioned bookplate and author's inscription.