ROSE AND JOSEPHINE. A Story.

First edition, first printing. Signed and inscribed by the author. Sumptuously bound in full red morocco with gilt ruling and decoration to the boards. The spine with five slightly raised bands, gilt-ruled compartments containing a flower device, and title in gilt. All edges gilt. A very good or better copy, the binding square, firm and bright with a little rubbing to the spine, moderate to spine ends and corners. The contents with a tiny chip to the front free endpaper and very minor spotting to the preliminary pages are otherwise in good order and clean throughout. An attractive book.

Inscribed by the author in black ink on the front endpaper: "To Monsieur Feugly[?] / under whose instruction I first acquired a knowledge of the French language, I respectfully offer this small testimony of my esteem & regard / Edith H. Owen / B*** House ***** / 24th July 1878". A dramatised account, apparently "translated from the French", of the life of the Empress Joséphine, Napoleon's first wife, known as Rose prior to her marriage. The author's only published work. Handsomely bound and scarce, only four copies listed on Copac (BL, Cambridge, Oxford, Nat. Lib. of Scotland).