THE DELIGHT OF GREAT BOOKS by John Erskine. Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, Publishers, (1928). First edition, first printing. Warmly inscribed to "Clare Ryan, In her copy of my book, my cordial [????] and best wishes for speedy recovery," and SIGNED "John Erskine, Thanks to: You" to the front end-paper. Erskine, a novelist, composer, and English professor, is credited with seeding the Great Books Movement that established certain books as classics for being exemplary or particularly noteworthy. This work is a wonderful example of his significant influence of books worth reading, and the movement. Comprises fourteen chapters with discussions that include MOBY DICK, HUCKELBERRY FINN, CANDIDA, PARADISE LOST, THE TEMPEST, CANTEBURY TALES, LE MORTE D'ARTHUR, THE FAERIE QUEEN, modern Irish poetry, and more. Minuscule tear to the upper spine edge, a hint of rubbing to the corner tips, else very nearly fine in black linen with auburn embossed titles and decorative borders to the front cover and to the spine, upper page edges auburn; in a good plus to about very good dust jacket with age-toning and mild stains to the spine panel, a one inch deep piece missing from the lower spine end and adjacent lower front panel, a half-inch deep piece missing from the upper spine end and adjacent upper front and rear panel, and a chip from the lower rear corner; original printed $2.50 price still intact to the front inner flap. Octavo; 314 pages. After photographing, the dust jacket will be placed in a clear, quality Bro-dart brand, removable protective sleeve. PLEASE VIEW OUR STORE FOR MORE GREAT SIGNED FIRST EDITION BOOKS THANKS!