E. V. Lucas; Charles L. Graves — Wisdom While You Wait & Wisdom on the Hire System

London, Isbister & Co. 1902-3 . First edition. Paperback. A pair of first editions comprised of a scarce mock prospectus for a spoof encyclopaedia, with the supplement work, written by E. V. Lucas and C. L. Graves. The first edition. Published for private circulation. Scarce. Bound in the publisher's original wraps. A comical pair of works by E. V. Lucas and C. L. Graves. Comprised of 'Wisdom While You Wait' (1902) and it's supplement, 'Wisdom on the Hire System' (1903).'Wisdom While You Wait is a parody prospectus for 'Insidecompletuar Britanniaware', ie. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica&apos. The work mocks the future Americanisation of the world. The supplementary 'Wisdom on the Hire System' contains full details of the 'Insidecompletuar Britanniaware' prize competition. Illustrated with a frontispiece, and in-text illustrations throughout both works. Advertisements to endpapers, with a leaf bound to the front of 'Wisdom on the Hire System' promoting a limited edition of this work. Bound in the publisher's original wraps. Externally, 'Wisdom While You Wait' is slightly worn, with fading to the spine and front wraps, edge wear, and chipping to the head and tail of the spine, causing loss to the tail. Wrap has detached from textblock. Ink inscription to front wrap. 'Wisdom of the Hire System' is very smart indeed, with light fading and minor shelf wear. Internally, 'Wisdom on the Hire System' is firmly bound, with scattered spotting throughout. Internally, 'Wisdom While You Wait' is somewhat tenderly held by ocrds, with pages remaining bright, the odd spot and red ink mark to end pages and title page. Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Good .