Roe E Dward P Ayson (5 results)

Octavo, inserted frontispiece and decorated title leaf, original pictorial blue-gray cloth stamped in red, yellow and silver. First printing of this expanded edition? FOUND YET LOST, a short novel of the American Civil War, was first published in 1888 by Dodd, Mead. The 1888 edition was published in paper wrappers only, so this 1892 edition may be the first hardcover edition. Although the title page states "and other stories," there is only one story, "Queen of Spades," in addition to FOUND YET LOST. The Reverend E. P. Roe was one of the most popular late nineteenth-century American fiction writers -- and one of the worst (see Quinn, American Fiction, p. 192, who calls his piety "nauseating" and Fullerton, p. 232, who says his novels "cannot be called real literature" but goes on to say "it stands to his credit that he did his work conscientiously, and that he stuck to the humble, fundamental life. This, and his carefully disguised sensationalism, are the explanation of his popularity"). Roe, who served as a Union chaplain during the Civil War, took up writing full-time after his novel BARRIERS BURNED AWAY, based on the 1871 Chicago fire, became a bestseller. His attention to moral purpose made popular fiction more palatable to a nation habitually suspicious of it as frivolous if not downright immoral. "His plots, according to Carl Van Doren, were concerned with the 'simultaneous pursuit of wives, fortunes, and salvation.'" - Kunitz and Haycraft, American Authors 1600-1900, p. 659. See BAL 16931 and Wright (III) 1967, both describing the 1888 first edition and overlooking this expanded edition. Cloth worn at edges, inner hinges repaired, a sound, good copy. (#117223).…

Octavo, original decorated mustard cloth stamped in black and brown, brown coated endpapers. First edition. Roe's first collection of short fiction. Collects three stories: "The Unexpected Result," "Christmas Eve in War Times" and "Three Thanksgiving Kisses." These stories were collected in TAKEN ALIVE AND OTHER STORIES (1889). Roe, a clergyman who served as a Union chaplain during the Civil War, took up writing full-time after his novel BARRIERS BURNED AWAY, based on the 1871 Chicago fire, became a bestseller. His attention to moral purpose made popular fiction more palatable to a nation habitually suspicious of it as frivolous if not downright immoral. "His plots, according to Carl Van Doren, were concerned with the 'simultaneous pursuit of wives, fortunes, and salvation.'" - Kunitz and Haycraft, American Authors 1600-1900, p. 659. A nice example of an eclectic late Victorian publisher's binding. BAL 16910. Wright (III) 4622. Hint of rubbing to cloth at spine ends and corner tips, else a near fine, bright copy. A superior copy of this pretty little book. (#117226).…

Condition: Very Good. Later Printings, Printed Around 1900. Set of four Dodd Mead late 1890's to early 1900's reprints of E.P. Roe novels, all in decorative covers in the 16mo size (4.25"x6.25"). E.P. Roe (1838-1888) was a popular novelist with the middle class in the Victorian period. He was a Presbyterian minister and Civil War chaplain and his novels reflected his moral framework. All books are without jackets. They are lightly bumped and show some shelf wear but are in very good condition for their age. Most contain a light pencil name and early 1900's date from a former owner. A very nice set, scarce books. Hardcover with decorative cloth covers.…

Octavo, inserted frontispiece (photographic portrait of Roe), original decorated blue green cloth stamped in black, red and gold, cream endpapers. First edition. First printing with 1883, 1888 and 1889 copyright dates and "University Press" imprint on copyright page. The major repository of Roe's short fiction. Collects Roe's "Autobiography" and eleven stories, including "Taken Alive," "Found Yet Lost, "The Queen of Spades" and others. Apparently part of a uniform edition, with "The Works of E. P. Roe" printed on front cover. Roe, a clergyman who served as a Union chaplain during the Civil War, took up writing full-time after his novel BARRIERS BURNED AWAY, based on the 1871 Chicago fire, became a bestseller. His attention to moral purpose made popular fiction more palatable to a nation habitually suspicious of it as frivolous if not downright immoral. "His plots, according to Carl Van Doren, were concerned with the 'simultaneous pursuit of wives, fortunes, and salvation.'" - Kunitz and Haycraft, American Authors 1600-1900, p. 659. BAL 16938. Wright (III) 4621. Not in Hubin (1994). Hint of rubbing to cloth at spine ends and corner tips, else a fine, bright copy.(#117225).…

Octavo, pp. [1-4] [1] 2-188, original pictorial dark green cloth stamped in black, gold and blind, decorated endpapers with publisher's monogram printed in green. First edition. Collects Roe's "Autobiography" and three stories, "The Queen of Spades," "A Ghost on Christmas Eve" and "Taken Alive." Number 112 of "Warne's Star Series." Roe, a clergyman who served as a Union chaplain during the Civil War, took up writing full-time after his novel BARRIERS BURNED AWAY, based on the 1871 Chicago fire, became a bestseller. His attention to moral purpose made popular fiction more palatable to a nation habitually suspicious of it as frivolous if not downright immoral. "His plots, according to Carl Van Doren, were concerned with the 'simultaneous pursuit of wives, fortunes, and salvation.'" - Kunitz and Haycraft, American Authors 1600-1900, p. 659. BAL 16934 (not located, not seen). Hubin (1994), p. 694. Cloth lightly worn at edges, some offsetting to free endpapers, a very good copy. COPAC records 2 copies (National Library of Scotland; Oxford); OCLC records no copies. Rare. (#117224). …