M. E. Grant Duff. NOTES FROM A DIARY, 1851-1888. 8 vols. (of a total of 14). London: John Murray, 1897-1900. Half polished calf over blue marbled paper-covered boards, gilt-stamped spines with raised bands and gilt-titled morocco labels, with marbled endpapers and green ribbon bookmarks, top edge gilt. All stamped "BOUND BY J. LARKINS" on first free endpaper verso. Small 8vo; 320; 333; 334; 394; 373; 370; 280; 269pp. Includes: Notes from a Diary 1851-1872 (2 vols.), Notes from a Diary 1873-1881 (2 vols.), Notes from a Diary 1881-1886 (2 vols.), and Notes from a Diary 1886-1888 (2 vols.).

7 5/8 x 5 1/2 in. each

M. E. Grant Duff (Sir Mountstuart E. Grant Duff) (1829-1906) was born in Scotland and worked as a politician, serving as a member in the House of Commons and later as Under-Secretary of State for India, Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, and governor of Madras in southern India.

Boards with light wear and browning to edges, with spotting, occasional scuffing and rubbing, and corners typically lightly bumped or rubbed; spines with light creasing and rubbing, one volume with small loss at head; joints creased and (4) volumes with cracking including one with upper board loose; all with bookplate on front paste-down; interiors lightly toned with minor staining from binder's glue, occasional small stain, mild finger grime, or edge chip, and rare spot of foxing (though frequently heavier at endpapers); an overall very good set with many leaves still unopened.