DELUXE EDITION OF THE COLLECTED WORKS OF AMBROSE BIERCE: Volumes I - XII; Though not called for, EACH OF THE TWELVE VOLUMES IS SIGNED BY BIERCE.
New York: Neale Publishing Co., 1909 - 1912. First edition. Twelve volumes, EACH ONE SIGNED BY BIERCE. (The regular signed limited edition of 250 numbered copies was signed in first volume only.) THIS SET WITH "COMPLIMENTS OF" PAGE SIGNED BY BIERCE IN EACH VOLUME, three of which are signed in ink, the rest in pencil. (Four of the "Compliments of" pages have "For" printed at the head of the page though no recipient has been filled in, the rest are printed simply "Compliments of.") Uniformly and BEAUTIFULLY BOUND in 8vo three-quarter deep brown morocco with burgundy linen sides; gilt-stamped raised spine bands separating four elaborately gilt-decorated panels, each with center fleuron, and two gilt-titling panels with author and volume number in first and titles list in second. "Special Autograph Copy" stamped in gilt between gilt rules at bottom of each spine. Top edges gilt; pale blue marbled endpapers in all but the 5th and 11th volumes which have gray endpapers. Frontis portrait of Bierce in Volume I, as called for. FROM THE COLLECTION OF WILLARD S. MORSE (1856-1935), a mining executive in the West and Mexico, with his bookplate designed by Howard Pyle affixed to front pastedown of each volume. "Morse Collection" card with handwritten author and title tipped to rear pastedown of first volume. Morse's bookplate in second volume with signature "Grant E. Bell" dated 1938 at bottom and with short, penciled quote from the text on verso of first blank. With the exception of Volume 6, which is outwardly fine but has sustained damage to fore edge of text block (not so as to affect any text), the set is otherwise nearly fine with only scattered finger smudges, a few small stains, light foxing to fore edges of a few volumes, and the occasional corner rub. "SPECIAL AUTOGRAPH COPIES"
Item #54511
Price: $7,500.00