A History of English Literature in a Series of Lectures, complete in two volumes

Tokyo, Japan: Hokuseido Press, 1927. First Edition. Hardcover. Fine/Very Good. Large 8vo 9" - 10. Not seemingly otherwise available to the trade in this state and condition insofar as it is a set complete in two Fine condition burgundy-colored, pebbly leatherette hardcover volumes and with sharp and distinct gilt lettering to spines and gilt devices to front covers. Top edges gilt. Illustrated, printed paper dust wrappers, sunned moderately and soiled lightly along edges, a bit of chipping thereto, else clean and intact, not price-clipped, and now in archival plastic coats. First Editions, both. Set comes with the original publisher's packing boxes, with Kanji character and English titles, printed labels to spines, and archival boxes riveted along top and bottom edges, folding in front. One in Good condition, with short split along one joint, the other in easily Very Good condition. Fine black-and-white photographic portrait of the goggle-eyed author at frontis of Volume I, and another black-and-white photograph of the graduating class of 1897 of the College of Literature, Imperial University of Tokyo, Japan. At rear of first volume is tipped-in, a note, protected by tissue guard, saying: "Special attention is called to the Author's seal in Japanese characters, made of green agate produced in Idzumo Province. Among so many others, Hearn liked this one best, being a present from Mr. Sentaro Nishida who was an intimate friend of his, at Matsue." Also at rear of each volume is another tipped-in sheet with the Author's Seal but that looks like a tariff stamp. The lectures were delivered between Fall Semester of 1900 through Spring semester of 1903. Prefatory notes suggest that they are not heavily edited from the forms they took as they were taken down by Hearn's students. Volume I discourses upon a period stretching from "Old Heathen Poetry" through the Norman Conquest and all the way to the explosion in poetry in 18th century England. A supplement considers Ben Jonson, the literature of the Restoration, Milton, Dryden, and Restoration drama. Volume II is comprised mostly of Victorian-era poetry and prose, singers and actors, including the Bronte sisters and George Eliot. Volume I: iv, 2-478 [2], then a Supplement of 60 + xii pp.; Volume II: iv [1], 480 [1], 482-914 + xii pp. "Koizumi Yakumo," Britain-born Patrick Lafcadio Hearn (in 1850), of Greek-Irish descent, was a writer who worked in the United States for several newspapers before moving to Japan and in essence becoming Japanese, dying there in 1904. Remarkably well-versed in Japanese culture, especially its myths and legends. A very attractive set.Member, I.O.B.A., C.B.A., and adherent to the highest ethical standards. Additional postage may be required for oversize or especially heavy volumes, and for sets.