J. W. Ebsworth — Cavalier Lyrics: "for Church and Crown

London; Hertford. Stephen Austin and Sons, 1887. Paperback. The scarce privately printed first edition of Ebsworth"s Cavalier Lyrics, one of only 150 copies numbered and signed by the author. In the publisher"s original paper wrappers.  First edition, privately printed.  A limited edition, being one of only 150 copies, comprising 125 copies for England and twenty-five for America, aside from a small number of special presentation copies.  This is copy number one hundred and two of the English issue, numbered and signed by J. W. Ebsworth on the limitation leaf. Printed on Dutch hand-made paper.  The limitation is dated November 1886, with Ebsworth"s manuscript notation, "Molash Vicarage, by Ashford-Kent." Illustrated with a frontispiece by J. W. Ebsworth, after William Vaughan"s illustration in Musick"s Handmaid of 1678, and numerous in-text engravings. Collated, complete.  A privately printed collection of Ebsworth"s historical and antiquarian verse, drawing heavily upon the literature, politics and personalities of 17th century England.    In the publisher"s original paper wrappers. Externally, worn. Backstrip detached from text block; portion of front wrap lifting. Wrappers fragile. Wraps age toned with light soiling. Small ink shelf annotation to head of front wrap. Creasing, rubbing, and chipping to extremities. Splitting and slight loss to spine. Tears and losses heavier to corners and edges; pencil markings to the front wrapper and inner cover. Internally, the sewn textblock remains generally firm, though strained in places with the sewing exposed. Pages are generally bright and clean, with only the odd handling mark and spot. Uncut throughout, with deckle edges somewhat browned and chipped in places. Good . Ill.: None Stated. Good .