Gelett Burgess — The Maxims of Methuselah

New York, Frederick A Stokes Company, 1907. First edition. Cloth. A first edition copy of this humorous novelette by American poet, Gelett Burgess. A humorous rendition, in scriptural verse, of the great patriarch Methuselah's views on the wiles of women. Methuselah was a biblical patriarch and a figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. His was the longest human lifespan of all those given in the Bible, 969 years. The advice given by the patriarch in his nine hundred sixty and ninth year to his great grandson at Shem's coming of age in regard to women. Beautifully and imaginatively illustrated throughout by Louis D. Fancher. A very humorous volume which makes only facetious claims of authenticity. Containing a previous owner's ink inscription to the front free-endpaper dated January 1912. Bound in quarter cloth with paper covered boards. Externally, very smart with some shelf wear and slight bumping to head and tail of spine and to extremities. A few marks to the boards. Previous owner's ink inscription to the front free-endpaper. Internally, front and rear hinges are tender but remain firm. Book is firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Very Good . Ill.: Louis D. Fancher. Very Good .