John Lane | The Bodley Head (London, UK)
Series dates: 1928-1929
Size: 5″ x 7.25″
Updated 7/25/2024
“A series of group-selections illustrating the rise and development of certain phases of English literature by means of selected extracts. Edited, with introductions, notes and tables of the chief books and writers to each volume, by R. Brimley Johnson. Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d. net each volume.” (from the rear of the jacket, see below).
“Group 1 The Novel,” consisting of 6 titles published in 1928 and 1929, seems to be the totality of titles issued (e.g., no Group 2, etc.).
A brief mention of the first two titles in the series appears in the May 12, 1928 edition of The Publishers’ Circular and Booksellers’ Record:
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An advertisement for the first two titles in the series from The Spectator, Volume 140, May 26, 1928 |
Jackets for the series are common in design. This is volume IV. The Comedy of Life, published in 1928.
The series name and title, along with price and publisher, are on the spine. The series name and editor, along with the “Group” name and volume, are included on the front of the jacket. An extended blurb about the series is also included on the jacket front.
The Bodley Head Quartos, another Bodley Head series, is blurbed on the front jacket flap (and a two-page advertisement for this series is included in the back of the book).
Titles in The English Literature Library: Group I. The Novel include:
I. The Birth Of Romance. Romantics and Pastorals: “Euphues,” “The Arcadia,” etc. (1928)
II. Some Little Tales. Essayists and Moralists: Addison, Johnson, etc. (1928)
III. Rogues And Vagabonds. Realism and Allegory: Bunyan, Defoe, etc. (1928)
IV. The Comedy Of Life. First English Novels: Richardson, Fielding, etc. (1928)
V. Balls And Assemblies. The Domestic Novel: Burney, Austen, etc. (1928)
VI. Romance In History. The National Novel: Scott, Edgeworth, etc. (1929)
The rear jacket flap advertises The Quill Library. The rear of the jacket more briefly blurbs the series and lists the 6 titles.
This particular title is bound in blue cloth with black typography. The series name is at the top of the book’s spine.
Blank endpapers:
The half-title page with the series name and volume:
A description of the series and a listing of the 6 titles face the title page.
“First printed in 1928.”
A two-page catalog of titles in the Bodley Head Quartos (edited by G.B. Harrison) ends the book.
