Charles Astley — Firstfruits

London, Elliot Stock, 1919. First edition. Paperback. The signed first edition of Firstfruits, a very scarce poetic anthology, written by art master at Warwick College Charles Astley. The signed first edition of a very scarce poetry anthology Firstfruits, written by British poet Charles Astley. Published by Elliot Stock in 1919.In the publisher's original paper covers, with the author's signed inscription to the front free end paper. Also contains an original small signed envelope stuck to leaf p.53.A collection of thoughtful poems that Astley, an art master at Warwick college, wrote during the early twentieth century and the First World War, including sonnets and songs. The title of the anthology, first fruits, refers to the offerings that priests gave to gods in the classical era. In the publisher's original paper covers. Externally, mostly smart, with fading to the spine and to the extremities of the back cover. Signs of shelf wear to the extremities, with slight chipping to the head and tail of the spine. End papers are generally bright and clean, with marginal smudging to the extremities. Author's inscription to the front paste down. Internally, firmly bound, with very slight wear between leaves pp.62-63. Pages are bright and clean. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good .