Boss & Other Dogs, 1st edn, 1896, Yorkshire Terrier etc

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Boss & Other Dogs, 1st edn, 1896, Yorkshire Terrier etc BOSS AND OTHER DOGS by Maria L. Pool NY: Stone & Kimball. 1896 Hardback. 1st edition. 134 pgs. NOTE: This is an original volume from the 1800s, not a recent reprint. Visually, this is just such a stunning little book, with its pasted in portrait of that beautiful lady and its elaborate gilt decorations, that it seems like a little gem. It was written by Maria Pool, one of the pioneering women writers of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Her specialty was short stories and her work appeared in publications like Harpers and Atlantic Monthly. She always said that this was her favorite of all the books she wrote and, reading it, one senses that it was close to her heart. This book was reprinted several times. The book was an immediate hit and was reprinted again later in 1896. There were several reprints into the early 1900s. Recently, there have been a couple of cheap and "print on demand" volumes. ONLY THIS TRUE FIRST HAS THIS STUNNING DECORATIVE DETAIL. This book has great sentimental value to me and it is only because I'm selling the entire DOGCRAZY COLLECTION that I am listing it. I have had this little book since I was 12 years old. It was then, in the early 1960s, that I met an elderly woman who owned a most delightful little Yorkie, named Gigi. This was the first Yorkie I'd ever met. The woman was vacationing with neighbors and I became so fond of both Gigi and her owner that I visited with them every day during the summer. This little book sat on the woman's dresser and I would gaze at the portrait on the cover and read the dedication to the Yorkie Orlando (printed below) often. When the vacation was over, I was amazed when the visitor presented me with this book as a token of our friendship and a reminder of Gigi. I have treasured it ever since. The book begins with this touching dedication: "To the Memory of ORLANDO, Yorkshire Terrier, the most gay, most sagacious, most devoted of companions, this little volume is dedicated by his bereaved friend, the author" In this book, Pool shares with us stories of the many dogs she and her friends and relatives have owned. The first story, Boss, concerns a Mastiff. (A note here: I'm not sure that Boss is identified as a Mastiff in the story. Later editions of this work, published in the early 1900s, are not as elaborate in appearance, but feature a photo frontispiece of a Mastiff, labeled "Boss.") A quick perusal of the stories finds they mention these breeds: Yorkshire Terrier, Collie, English Toy Spaniel (she calls them "King Charles Spaniels"), Bull Terrier, Newfoundland and Scottish Terrier (Scottie). There is only one illustration in the book: a frontispiece that might be a Yorkie puppy or a Scottie. Admittedly, it's not a great drawing. CONDITION: Very good. The boards are covered with a paper that resembles wood graining. The elaborate gilt decoration is mostly in very good condition, though there are a couple of spots where it is lightly rubbed. The portrait on the cover is in beautiful condition. Spine, with incised decoration and text, appears darkened. Some wear to the corners. Binding appears tight. Pages in great shape. NEW! Now listing on ebay, the DOGCRAZY COLLECTION. One of the largest private collections of dog items in the US, including more that 5,000 books (many very old and rare), hundreds of figurines, many bronzes, hundreds of dog magazines, tons of ephemera and 18 boxes of paintings and prints. I began the collection in 1971 and it has been invaluable for the books and magazine articles I've written and edited. Keep watching ebay for new items from the collection and check out our ebay store. Stop by and enjoy! COLL... read more

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