A Group of Noble Dames

First edition. 8vo. Pp. [vi], 271, [1 (blank)]. Publisher's first binding of smooth beige-brown flecked cloth, gilt-ruled Charles Ricketts floral design blocked to front, gilt-ruled spine lettered in dark brown. Publisher's device to title page. Printed on woven cream paper by R. & R. Clark, Edinburgh, in a print run of 2,000 copies. Spine somewhat faded, lower corners lightly bumped, else Near Fine.

First collection of these stories in book form. Forming a frame narrative, with ten members of the Wessex Field and Antiquarian Club each relating a love affair of a lady of rank, six of these formed the nucleus of a commissioned "short novel" first published by the Graphic magazine in its Christmas issue of 1 December 1890. The remainder four – written between 1878 and 1889 – and likewise previously published in serial form, were significantly revised before being included here.

[Purdy, pp. 61–6; Sadleir 1106; Webb pp. 27–8; Wolff 2976]