G. K. Chesterton

A group of two volumes, comprising:

CHESTERTON. G. K. (1874-1936). Greybeards at Play. Literature and Art for Old Gentlemen. London: R. Brimley Johnson, 1900.  
First edition of the author’s first book: a wonderful family association copy, signed by the author and with his father’s engraved bookplate. Octavo. 24 illustrations by Chesterton (occasional finger-soiling). Original cloth-backed decorative boards, spine lettered in black (a little rubbed and soiled, spine sunned, endpapers browned); housed in modern blue quarter morocco box. Provenance: ownership inscription (‘Teddy Christmas 1900’, most likely in the hand of Frances Chesterton, pencil to front free endpaper) — Edward Chesterton (1841–1922, father of the author; engraved bookplate to front pastedown). 

— Tales of the Long Bow. London: Cassell and Company Limited, 1925.  
First edition. Octavo. Original green cloth, spine and upper cover lettered and ruled in blue, publisher’s printed label on upper board (endpapers browned); original dust-jacket (a few minor marks).