Mr Benjamins (Bret Harte) — Lothaw

London, John Camden Hotten, c1871. Paperback. A smart early edition of Bret Harte's illustrated parody of Disraeli"s Lothair. In the publisher's original soft covers.   Undated, dated from a copy held by the British Library and the advertiser's catalogue to the rear.   Delightfully illustrated throughout, including with a frontispiece.   A number of contemporary advertisements to the front free endpapers and 8 pages to the rear.   From prominent American short story writer and poet, best remembered for his writings on the California Gold Rush. Harte published a prolific number of parodies, this being a satire of Benjamin Disraeli"s Lothair. In the publisher"s original soft covers. Externally, smart with slight shelf wear, resulting in a few small tears to edges, culminating at the spine head and tail. Covers lightly spotted and age toned with one or two marks. Internally, first and last few pages a little delicate, text otherwise firmly bound. Reasonable closed tear to the final page and faint tide mark, also affecting the face page. A bright and clean copy with the occasional spot, heavier to the first and last few pages. Very Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good .