A KNIGHT OF THE AIR OR, THE AERIAL RIVALS. London: Digby, Long & Co., Publishers, n.d. [1895]. Octavo, pp. [i-vii] viii [1] 2-306 [307-308: blank] [note: last leaf is a blank] + 8-page publisher's catalogue dated "September 1895" inserted at rear, inserted frontispiece, original pictorial orange cloth, front and spine panels elaborately stamped in black, blue, green, yellow, silver and gold, publisher's monogram stamped in blind on rear panel, floral patterned endpapers printed in green, top edge untrimmed, other edges rough-trimmed. First edition. Detective fiction centering around the theft and recovery of aeronautical secrets; prey shadowed by balloon, etc. Does not appear to have science fiction or fantasy elements. One of the villains is a French anarchist. Coxwell (1819-1900) was a pioneer British balloonist who made his first ascent in 1844 and was a strong advocate of military ballooning. Hubin, p. 98. Wolff 1515. Not in Reginald (1979; 1992) or Bleiler (1948; 1978). Some foxing to preliminaries, spine panel just a bit soiled, cloth rubbed at spine ends and corner tips and along front joint, a bright, very good copy. A beautiful copy of a handsome book. An uncommon book. (#156824).
Price: $250.00
No statement of printing.