Books and Manuscripts

[Hearn, Lafcadio] Head, Sir Francis B.
A Fortnight in Ireland
London: John Murray, 1852. First edition. 8vo. (viii), 400, 16 (ads) pp. From the library of Lafcadio Hearn, and with his signature and date at top of front blank, "Lafcadio Hearn Nov. 7th 1893", and with a doodle by him, of two men, below same. Illustrated with a folding map of Ireland. Original green cloth-covered boards, stamped in blind and in gilt, cocked, spine faded, boards lightly and unevenly faded, chip in upper front joint; all edges trimmed; bottom corner p. 131 torn away, but not affecting text; scattered minor spotting to text.

First edition of this travelogue on Ireland, from the library of acclaimed writer of the supernatural, Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904), and published in 1852, the same year he moved to Ireland as a child. Although remembered for his connections to Japan and the United States, Hearn spent the first quarter of his life being raised in Ireland. Born on the Greek island Lefkada (from which he gained his namesake) to Irishman Charles Bush Hearn and Ionian Islands woman Rosa Antonia Cassimati, in 1852, at age two, Lafcadio was brought to Dublin, the home of his father's family. His parents marriage was unstable, and following their separation shortly after the move, Lafcadio was left in the charge of his father's great-aunt, Sarah Benane. Hearn grew up in Dublin until he was 16, with his summers spent in Co Waterford. In 1866, he left Dublin and emigrated to the United States where he began his prolific writing career.

Provenance
The Estate of G. Franklin Ludington, New York City.