[Richard Sharp] — Epistles in Verse

London, John Murray, 1828. First edition. Cloth. The author's presentation copy of this very scarce verse collection, the first edition presented to his friend Joseph Jekyll, a politician and grandfather of the gardener Gertrude Jekyll. The very scarce first edition of this work. Author's presentation copy, inscribed to the verso of the front endpaper, 'To his old friend Joseph Jekyll Esq, From the Author', with the author's name inscribed to the title page. Jekyll's bookplate to the front paste down. Joseph Jekyll was a Whig Member of Parliament, writing a memoir of the black composer Ignatius Sancho as a preface to a collection of Sancho's letters. He was also the grandfather of Gertrude Jekyll, the noted horticulturist, writer, and gardener, known for her gardening writings.A selection of the charming verse epistles of Richard Sharp, a conversationalist, hat-maker, and banker, a popular figure in London society of the day, with the nickname 'Conversation Sharp&apos.Prior owner's ink inscription to the front paste down. In the original cloth binding. Externally, generally smart, with light marks and some discolouration to the boards and spine. Minor bumping to the head and tail of the spine and to the extremities. Hinges are starting a little but remain firm. Bookplate and prior owner's ink inscription to the front paste down. Author's inscription to the verso to the front endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are lightly age-toned and generally clean with some odd spots. Author's inscription to the title page. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good .