CARDINAL POLE: or, The Days of Philip and Mary. An Historical Romance. In Three Volumes.
London: Chapman & Hall, 1863. 1st Book Edition (NCBEL III, 913; Sadleir 4; Wolff 40]. 3 volumes: x, 301, [1]; viii, 305, [1]; viii, 302 pp. 8vo. 7-7/8" x 5". Original publisher's green cloth binding, boards blocked in blind, gilt stamping to spine, pale yellow eps. Gilt bright. Volumes cocked, with very light shelfwear. Small neat pos to ffep. A pleasing VG+ set. Item #43234
Ainsworth "was an English historical novelist born at King Street in Manchester. He trained as a lawyer, but the legal profession held no attraction for him. While completing his legal studies in London he met the publisher John Ebers, at that time manager of the King's Theatre, Haymarket. Ebers introduced Ainsworth to literary and dramatic circles, and to his daughter, who became Ainsworth's wife. Ainsworth briefly tried the publishing business, but soon gave it up and devoted himself to journalism and literature. His first success as a writer came with Rookwood in 1834, which features Dick Turpin as its leading character. A stream of 39 novels followed, the last of which appeared in 1881. S. M. Ellis termed Ainsworth as 'one of the most picturesque personalities of the nineteenth century.'"
Price: $325.00