FRIENDS THOUGH DIVIDED. A Tale of the Civil War.
Illustrated. London: Griffith & Farran, 1883. 32 pp ads dated Sept 1883. Original pictorial brown cloth.
First Edition of this early Henty boys' tale taking place during the English Civil War. According to Newbolt (and to the printer's code on the title verso), 3000 copies were initially printed (in August 1882, though dated 1883); this copy has one of the earliest states of the ad catalogue (dated Sept 1883 -- there are some copies with ads dated May 1882, though that was several months before actual publication). This copy does have the early binding state -- without beveled edges on the boards or gilt edges on the leaves. It also has the p. 118 illustration in the first state -- located at that page, rather than where it belongs opposite p. 106; according to Newbolt, most copies with the 1883 ads have this illustration properly relocated.
Condition is close to fine, with scarcely any wear, and with the original peach endpapers still intact. The book is a little askew, which is typically the case for such a thick volume. Henty's Blackie titles from the 1880s have become quite uncommon in desirable condition, and titles issued by any of his prior publishers, such as this, are now decidedly scarce. Newbolt 12.2; Dartt pp 61-62. Item #12647
Price: $550.00