MARTINS OF CRO'MARTIN

This is a rare copy of Charles Lever's Martins of Cro'Martin, by the Anglo-Irish author Charles Lever (1806-1872). Lever, who wrote about 30 novels, is now known as one of the most under-rated writers of the 19th century, and well on a par with Thackeray, Trollope and Dickens (Trollope was one of his biggest fans).

The story, which begins in 1829, is about an Anglo-Irish family dealing with the profound social and political upheaval taking place in Ireland at the time. Martins of Cro'Martin was originally published in 1856 and usually appeared in 2 volumes, with illustrations/etchings by Phiz (the Dickens illustrator Hablot Brown).

This copy has no illustrations and is 680 pages. It was published in New York by Hurst & Company, as part of its Eminent Authors series, which was released in 1902.

It is burgundy boards with an impressed design on the front cover and bright gold lettering on the spine. There are a couple of spots on the cover, which can be cleaned off. The spine is tight throughout the book, except for right at the front, where someone removed the endpapers, making the title page the first page (see photo).

There is very little shelf wear; although it shows its age, it is a very readable book. A professional bindery could clean it up with little trouble.

Note: If you are outside of North America, the quoted shipping price is for surface mail without tracking. For other options, please contact me.