Antiquarian Auctions

Auction #135 begins on 12 Nov 2026

Worsfold (W. Basil)

THE PRINCIPLES OF CRITICISM (1897) - Inscribed by the author (editor of the Star) to M.B. Gardner (Secretary of Argus Publishing)

Important early Johannesburg journalistic association copy

Published: George Allen, London, 1897

Edition: First Edition

Reserve: $40

Approximately:

Estimate: $60

Bidding opens: 12 Nov 16:30 GMT

Bidding closes: 19 Nov 16:30 GMT

Ships from: South Africa

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"The Principles of Criticism : An Introduction to the Study of Literature."

Publisher's beige cloth binding.

viii + 285pp.

INSCRIBED by the author on the half-title page, "To M. B. Gardner Esq. With kind regards and pleasant memories of Feb. 1904 - March 1905. W. Basil Worsfold. Oct.26.1905."

The author and M. B. Gardner knew each other through their professional work running the Johannesburg Star newspaper in South Africa. In 1904, Basil Worsfold was appointed as the chief editor of the Star, which was owned by the Argus Printing and Publishing Company. M. B. Gardner served as the Secretary of the Argus Company. The two men were in close contact regarding the newspaper's business, finances, and editorial staff matters.

William Basil Worsfold (1858-1939) was a British writer and barrister who graduated from the University of Oxford. He wrote and published many books during the late 19th and early 20th-centuries on British colonial history, particularly South Africa. He became the chief editor of the Johannesburg Star newspaper in 1904 - the primary newspaper read by the English in South Africa. He relinquished his job in April 1905 and returned to England.

  • Binding Condition: Very Good
  • Overall Condition: Very Good


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