The Adventure of the Lady Ursula
By Anthony Hope / First Edition, 1898 / Illustrated by Will Bradley / R. H. Russell, New York
 
Key Features
 
First US edition, published in 1898 and illustrated by Will Bradley
Decorative grey cloth, adorned with bold floral silver tooling on both boards and spine
Six photogravure plates, featuring Virginia Harned and Edward H. Sothern in a comedic romantic play first staged at London’s Lyceum Theatre in Summer 1898
Unmistakable Victorian theatrical charm—a love-match of adventurous heroine and reluctant hero
 
Dimensions
Approx. 21.3 × 14.5 × 1.6 cm
Weight: approx. 371g
125 pages total
 
Condition Summary
Binding: Attractive with some edge wear and soft corner crushes. The frontispiece is partially detached at the bottom edge, though still present and well-preserved.; plate at p. 72 is loose, otherwise firm and secure
Text block: Tanned endpapers and pastedowns, uneven fore-edges as issued. Neat interior with occasional light mark or stain
Damage: Minor creasing; closed tears to p. 105/106 and p. 107/108—legible and stable
Pages present: Complete—125 pages, no missing leaves
Overall impression: A charming theatrical collectible showing typical wear but solid structure, attractive presentation, and excellent shelf presence
 
Author & Illustrator Notes
Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins (1863–1933) was a celebrated British novelist and playwright, best known for The Prisoner of Zenda.
Will Bradley, an early American Art Nouveau master often likened to Beardsley. The striking silver cloth design is likely the work of Will Bradley, one of the most influential American artists of the Art Nouveau period, making this copy highly desirable for collectors.