The Lays of the Pharisee, Being a Volume of Verses Together With Poems in Blank Verse, Telling of the Things that are in the Modern Life of To-Day: Critical: Satirical: Political
London: J. Mulvy Ouseley & Son / Ye Olde Royaltie Booke Publishers, 1913. Oldfield, Zoffany. Leather. Octavo size, 150 pp. Fine. Item #13040382
Written in the form of comic/satirical verse, a collection of 23 "essays" remarking upon hypocrisy seen in England of the day - many, if not most or all, of which can still be seen in most lands today. Of special note to us, as pet-owners, was an accusation brought in a court of law by a dog arguing against vivisection, with a dog being told by the judge "Most faithful of beasts you to man are I know, No protection for you can I find. Some things that we punish seem nothing at all Compared to the fate that "man's friend" must befall".
Another moving essay, titled "Red Rubber", deals with the atrocities committed in the Belgian Congo against children by the then-king of Belgium, Leopold II, who personally owned the Congo Free State. Extremely thought-provoking, perhaps especially because of the satiric verses used by the author (of whom we were unable to find a verifiable source listing his full name), and somewhat uncommon; with only seven copies listed in OCLC.
Accompanying each essay are several illustrations by Zoffany Oldfield (there are forty-six total in the book); after searching we found other titles he had illustration during this same time period, but were unable to find biographical information. The drawings are illustrative rather than moving, but do bring to life the points the author is making.
___DESCRIPTION: Red leather binding with the title in large script, in gilt, on the front, narrow double-ruled border on the front, spine has raised bands, gilt rules and decorations, inner gilt dentelles, top edge gilt, other edges uncut, marbled endpapers, 46 full-page black and white illustrations interspersed throughout the text; octavo size (9.25" by 6.5"), pagination: (1)-150.
___CONDITION: Fine, with a strong, square text block, solid hinges, straight corners with no rubbing, the interior is clean and bright, and it is entirely free of prior owner markings. Several gatherings are unopened, and we have confirmed that all illustrations are present as called for.
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Price: $125.00