William Harrison Ainsworth — Hilary St. Ives

London, Chapman and Hall, 1870 . First edition. Leather. The first edition of William Harrison Ainsworth's most scarce title, a work focussing on contemporary Victorian society in London. The first edition in book form of this very scarce work, complete in three volumes.Initially published serially in 1869, this is a Victorian-era sensation novel set in London and surrounding country estates, blending romance, mystery, and family drama.The work marks a departure from Ainsworth's usual historical fiction, instead focusing on contemporary Victorian society."Supposedly the rarest Ainsworth title" according to Wolff. Additionally, Sadleir also notes the comparative scarcity of Ainsworth's unillustrated novels, which were to come to the attention of book collectors later than the illustrated books. In a half morocco binding with cloth covered boards, and gilt detailing to back strip. Rear board of volume III detached but present. Back strip age toned, boards bright. Volume I front joint head and volume III front joint tail starting, with boards firmly held. Rubbing to joints. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright, with light handling marks throughout. Final leaf of volume III detached. Good Only . Ill.: None. Good Only .