Amanda McKittrick Ros — Irene Iddesleigh

London, The Nonesuch Press, 1926. Leather. A smart limited edition copy of what is considered to be one of the worst novels ever published, an illustrated edition published by the Nonesuch Press. A limited edition of 1,250 copies, of which this is numbered 99.Generally considered to be one of the worst novels ever published, 'Irene Iddesleigh' follows a noblewoman who has an affair with her tutor.When first published, figures such as Mark Twain publicly denounced its purple prose and poorly-constructed plot, with Twain dubbing it "one of the greatest unintentionally humorous novels of all time".The author, Amanda McKittrick Ros, wrote and published this novel at her own expense in 1897, a gift to her husband to celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary. Illustrated with a frontispiece and two plates, by W. M. R. Quick.Collated, complete.From the library of George Engle, gifted to him by his friend Brian Spiller, with a presentation bookplate to the front paste down. Engle was a barrister and noted collector of books, his library containing obscure and sought after works. From 2001 to 2008 he was the President of the Kipling Society. In a custom marbled paper dust wrapper, with 'Cecily Engle' written in ink to the reverse. Protective plastic is taped to the custom dust wrapper. In the original publisher's half morocco binding with marbled cloth to the boards. Externally, smart. Spine is faded. Minor bumping to the head and tail of the spine, with a small amount of loss to the tail. Light rubbing to the extremities. Cloth is very lightly cockled to the fore edges. Bookplate to the front paste down. Spots to the endpapers. Custom dust wrapper is sunned to the spine, with protective plastic taped to the reverse, and an ink inscription to the reverse. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: W. M. R. Quick. Very Good Indeed/Very Good Indeed.