Knight Asrael and Other Stories

London: Swan Sonnenschein & Co, 1889. Hardcover. Very Good. Hardcover. Scarce. First edition of her first book for children, with 14 fantasy stories. A Presentation Copy, inscribed "Florence O'Gorman from Una Taylor" with the recipient's attractive bookplate on front pastedown. Una Taylor (1857-1922) was one of three daughters of the poet and dramatist Henry Taylor. The three daughters were also all writers. They had many illustrious family friends, including Carlyle, Steveson, and Tennyson. Una never married and lived with her sister Ida until her death. This book was written for children, but a contemporary critic at The Spectator wrote that her stories were "of a kind to be appreciated by the elders rather than the younger folk, although some are more appropriate than others. " The book is in the publisher's original bright blue cloth with gilt title, author, and illustration to front cover. Light bumping to corners. Large (but light) dampstain to rear board and minor bubbling to rear pastedown. No interior dampstaining. Interior pages are clean, with handsome initial letter and ornament at the beginning of each story. a.e.g. A nice copy in very good condition. 240 pages. CHI/102414.