[Literature] [Stoker, Bram]. FitzGerald, William. Original Sketchbook

(Dublin, etc., ca. 1875-80s). Oblong 16mo. Comprising 26 leaves, each page with sketches of character studies, scenes, or objects, executed in pencil, pen and ink, and wash, by FitzGerald, including four later featured in Bram Stoker's first book, Under the Sunset: facing pp. 14 (two), 28, and 190 (on a laid in sheet); some pages with FitzGerald's notes. Original quarter black goatskin over green pebbled cloth-covered boards, stamped in blind, spine and ties perished, front and rear boards largely detached; contemporary art supplier's ticket on front paste-down ("Roberson & Co. / 99, Long Acre, / London"), small library ink stamp next to same; old cataloguing notes on front paste-down; one sheet loose; scattered light soiling.

Lot includes a second edition copy of Stoker's Under the Sunset (London: Sampson Low, et al., 1882); illustrated by FitzGerald and W.V. Cockburn; in yellow buckram library binding; library ink stamp on verso title-page.

An original sketchbook of Irish illustrator and clergyman William FitzGerald (1852-1919), including four sketches by him that appear in Bram Stoker's first book, Under the Sunset. FitzGerald was the younger brother of Irish physicist George Francis FitzGerald (1851-1901), and was a fellow Trinity College graduate and friend of Stoker's. Like his father, bishop and author William FitzGerald (1814-83), the younger William entered the Anglican Church and is known to have become a county clergyman in Killaloe, Ireland. In 1882, Stoker chose FitzGerald to provide illustrations for Under the Sunset, his collection of gothic and fantasy short stories.

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

Charles Sessler, Bookseller, Philadelphia

From the Special Collections and Rare Book Collection at University of the Arts’ Libraries, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

[Literature] [Stoker, Bram]. FitzGerald, William. Original Sketchbook