Estimate: $400 - $600
Auction: February 18, 2021 10:00:00 AM EDT
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, ca. 1892. Oblong 12mo. Endpapers fully intact but book missing pp. (1)-16, which include title-page and contents page. All leaves intact from page 17. From the library of Algonquin Round Table charter member Robert Benchley (1889-1945) and inscribed to him by Lillian Duryea when he was a boy: "To Robert/As a slight reward and token of admiration/from Lillian for his efforts in trying to sit still for/ten whole minutes--" in ink on front free endpaper; also signed "Benchley" in Robert's son Nathaniel's hand, in pencil beneath same. Original illustrated cloth, lightly worn; text block separated, some leaves loose.
Lillian Duryea was Robert's older brother Edmund's (secret) fiancée who took over the direction (and funding) of Robert's education after Edmund's untimely and early death. She also insisted that young Robert spend time with her under formal auspices, which likely accounts for her amusement that he could sit still at all.
A rare survival, illustrating the warm relationship between Robert and Lillian, one of the few physical links extant between the two, clearly showing Lillian's fondness of--and familiarity with--the young Robert.
color?