Self Improvement from Quercus Rare Books

New York: The Christian Herald, 1904. Margaret Sangster (1838-1912) was a well-known poet who focused on religious themes; the publisher here was viable from 1878 to 1992, with a charitable mission . This is a Very Good copy of the First Edition. Not common in the trade. Green decorative cloth binding with red ruling and a floral device on the… Read more about this item

San Francisco: Lane Publishing Co., 1945. 'this book is designed for those women whose idea of Utopia is an orderly, immaculate house, where delicious meals are effortlessly served..." Who would not desire such a situation? Although it must be admitted that men could accomplish this too. First published in 1941; this is a Very Good (Plus) to Near Fine… Read more about this item

Springfield, Cincinnati, Dallas, Sacramento: King, Richardson & Co., Publishers, 1894. Originally published in 1890, this is a Very Good copy of a Later Printing from four years later. It was "Sold only by our Authorized Agents." Green pebbled cloth binding with blindstamped decoration (a pair of stylized hinges or clasps) and gilt titling on the front cover, quite faded but… Read more about this item

New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company A humorous take on Etiquette, with tongue firmly in cheek, complete with charming illustrations by Wallace Goldsmith and E.E. Bird. From the Title Page: "An Up-to-date Manual of the Manners of Men and Women for Men and Women of Manners, and a Complete Catalogue of the Social Dues - and Most of the "Don'ts"… Read more about this item

New York: The Butterick Publishing Company, [Limited], 1888. Published anonymously, this is the perfect Victorian handbook to improve your social skills. Very Good (Plus) copy of the First Edition. Dark brown cloth binding, with gilt titling on the front cover and spine. Clean text; 384 pages. Bumped, with light wear at the head and foot of the spine.. First Edition.… Read more about this item

New York: Leavitt & Allen Bros., 1854. Written anonymously, but part of a series that also included "The Young Man's Own Book," here is a small volume of instruction that Quercus notes as possibly much needed today: the art of letter-writing taught by examples. This is a Near Fine copy of the Second Edition (although with much added material). Uncommon.… Read more about this item

Bridgeport: M. Sherman, 1828. Mary Martha Sherwood (1775-1851) was a prolific (some 400 works!) and very popular author of children's literature, mainly written from her evangelical Christian position. She was well-educated, having both Latin and Greek and (later) Hebrew. An educational reformer, she was profoundly anti-Catholic in her many tracts for the poor. Here are four volumes only of her… Read more about this item

Springfield & Des Moines: King, Richardson & Co., Publishers Originally published in 1890, this is a Very Good copy of a Later Printing from the year following that was "Sold only by our "Authorized Agents." Green pebbled cloth binding with blindstamped decoration (a pair of stylized hinges or clasps) and gilt lettering on the cover; gilt lettering on the spine,… Read more about this item

Greenfield: Merriam & Mirick, 1846. Here is a lovely small volume dedicated to the health of the child, which seems to be quite "modern" in its attitudes on diet and exercise for a mid-nineteenth century volume. Published anonymously, and very scarce (no copies WorldCat or LoC). Very Good (Plus) condition. Dark brown cloth binding with decorative blindstamping. Bright gilt lettering… Read more about this item

New York: R. Worthington, 1878. George Baker (1849-1906) wrote this cute treatise on the etiquette of New York, with a sort of anti-Mrs Grundy take. Originally published in 1875, it was reprinted several times by various publishers, but remains scarce on the market. This is a Very Good Plus copy. Blue cloth binding with a fancy stamped design on the… Read more about this item

New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1881. Art critic John Ruskin (1819-1900) was one of the leading polymaths of the Victorian era, also writing frequently on social issues. This lovely book was "Compiled and Arranged by Mrs. Louisa C. Tuthill" and is a Very Good Plus copy. Later Printing of the First Edition. Tan cloth decorative binding, indstamped and filled… Read more about this item