Simon Dale; The Intrusions of Peggy; A Servant of the Public

London: Methuen & Co.; Smith, Elder, & Co., 1898-1905. First edition. Cloth. Good. 8" by 5.5". Various. Three first edition copies of Anthony Hope's novels Simon Dale, The Intrusions of Peggy, and A Servant of the Public. Three first edition copies of Anthony Hope's novels Simon Dale, The Intrusions of Peggy, and A Servant of the Public. With eight plates to Simon Dale, collated and complete. With four plates to A Servant of the Public, collated and complete. Predominantly remembered for his late nineteenth century works The Prisoner of Zenda and its sequel Rupert of Hentzau, Hope spawned a genre of known as Ruritanian Romance in which the ruling classes embarked on swashbuckling adventures in fictional countries. The first novel in this collection, Simon Dale, is a historical novel involving actress and King Charles II's mistress Nell Gwyn. Whilst the Intrusions of Peggy explores is more typical of Hope's adventure novels, A Servant of the Public demonstrates the author's love of acting. Prior owner's bookplate to the front pastedown of all three volumes. These novels previously belonged to the library of Richard Chamberlain. With a Prior owner's ink inscription to the half title of Simon Dale. The book previously belonged to Adie, living at 337 Hagley Road. With a forty page catalogue of publisher's adverts to the rear of Simon Dale. With two pages of publisher's adverts to the rear of The Intrusions of Peggy. With a forty page catalogue of publisher's adverts to the rear of A Servant of the Public. In the publisher's original green cloth binding. Externally, generally smart. Lightly rubbed to the boards, aside from the rear board of Simon Dale which is particularly rubbed. Simon Dale and A Servant of the Public are both a little bumped and rubbed to the head and tail of the spine, whereas the Intrusions of Peggy is missing a little cloth to the head and tail of the spine. The front hinge of Simon Dale is starting, and is a little tender. Internally, generally firmly bound, although the first few pages of Simon Dale are a little loose . Aside from some foxing to the fore edge of the text block, and the front and rear of the volumes, pages are generally bright and clean. Good