Mrs. Hugh Fraser [Mary Crawford Fraser] — Italian Yesterdays

London, Hutchinson & Co. 1914. First edition. Cloth. A fascinating first edition collection of retellings of Italian history, mythology, and legacy, illustrated throughout. An uncommon copy of this first edition. Bound in publisher's original purple cloth.  Decorated with a gilt top edge. Illustrated throughout, this work features a monochrome frontispiece and fifteen further monochrome plates, each with their original tissue guards. Collated, complete. Within, a variety of stories, histories and mythologies surrounding the areas Fraser travelled to. These tales include passages entitled 'Saints, Jews, and Artists'; 'The Story of St Cecilia'; 'Alaric, the Visigoth'; 'Marco Polo', and numerous others. Penned by wife of diplomat Hugh Fraser, Mary Crawford Fraser, whose publications consisted of memoirs and historical novels. Bound in original purple cloth. Externally, a little worn. Significant fading to spine and board extremities. Mild shelf wear. Moderate age toning to endpapers. Internally, firmly bound, with infrequent, very mild strain. Pages generally bright and clean, with very light age toning and the odd spot throughout. Very slight cockling throughout. Mild marks and age toning to text block edges. Very Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good .