The Gladstone Diaries. 4 Vols.
Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1968. First edition. Hardcover. Small Quarto. xlix, 596, 699, lvi, 686, 724pp. Original illustrated dustjackets over taupe cloth with gilt lettering on spines. "Moreley rightly remarked, in his official "Life of Gladstone," that his subject was not equipped with 'much or any of the rare talent of the born diarist'. These diaries reveal much about Gladstone's character, and illustrate the religious, political, and social life of his day; yet nobody will find in them either word-pictures of events, or analysis of personality, fit to be compared with Pepys's or with Greville's. Gladstone's diaries were not written with a literary aim." (Foot). Vol. 1: 1825–1832; Vol. 2: 1833–1839; Vol. 3: 1840–1847; Vol. 4: 1848–1854. William Ewert Gladstone served as Prime Minister four separate times. He was known for his oratory, his religiosity, his liberalism, and affectionately was referred to by his supporters as "The People's William." DJ of volume one with some wear, chips along edges and creasing. DJs of other volumes with light wear along edges, minor chips and creasing. Previous owner's stamp on front free endpapers. owner's blind-stamp on title page of vol. one, table of content in vol. two. Some (moderate) pencil notes in volume two. Block with light foxing on top edges. DJs fair to good+, bindings in good+ to very good, interior in very good condition. fair to vg. Item #41310
Price: $150.00