Anecdotes, Observations, and Characters, of Books and Men. Collected from the Conversation of Mr. Pope, and Other Eminent Persons of his Time

London: John Russell Smith, 1858.

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Hardcover. Octavo. P. xxxii; 21-40; [3] 248-396; 4 (ads). Publisher's cloth, contemporarily rebacked with matching cloth and spine affixed to rear pastedown. Corners bumped and modest edgewear, else near fine. *The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám* translator Edward FitzGerald's copy with his penciled ownership signature ("E. Fitz Gerald"), five lines of penciled notes on a rear blank (noting passages about Ben Jonson, Dryden, Pope, Wycherly, Congreve, and others), and a few passages marked in pencil in the text. Also with the ownership signature of Oliver H. Miller of Forest Glen, Maryland on the rear pastedown. Accompanied by 1902 letter from John Loder ("J. Loder"), a Woodbridge (East Suffolk, U.K.) bookseller, dated in 1902 to Oliver Miller. Although the letter had been folded into the book with the loss of one section and a modest amount of text (the letter has been strengthened at several folds) the content is clear. Loder sends Miller this book from FitzGerald's library: "'These be my books' is what E. F. G. used to say in reference to bits cut out of different books - which books he would have bound up as they collected. I send you the skeleton of one which you will value I know. Especially as it has his signature in pencil..." He goes on to discuss other books he is seeking for Miller including a FitzGerald bibliography. According to Christopher Morley in *The Chrstopher Morley Reader,* discussing Loder: "Woodbridgians were great readers and such prodigal customers as FitzGerald did much to keep the ledgers healthy." He further says: "FitzGerald had given him a great many curios and personal treasures: Mr. Loder never offered these for sale at any price (anything connected to FitzGerald was sacred to him) but if anyone happened along who seemed able of appreciating him he would give them away with delight." Morely further discusses Loder's friendship and association with FitzGerald in greater detail in his book. An interesting volume, books signed by FitzGerald are uncommon.

Item #398632

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Item #398632 Anecdotes, Observations, and Characters, of Books and Men. Collected from the Conversation of Mr. Pope, and Other Eminent Persons of his Time. Rev. Joseph SPENCE, Edward FitzGerald.

Edward FitzGerald
birth name: Edward FitzGerald
born: 3/31/1809
died: 6/14/1883

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Biography

English writer, best known for his The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, which, though it is a free adaptation and selection from the 12th-century Persian poet's verses, stands on its own as a classic of English literature. - Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of Literaturemore