The memoirs of Mr. Charles Yellowplush, The Great Hogarth Diamond, etc.

London : Smith, Elder & Co., 1899. Octavo, in a fine prize binding for Sydney Grammar School, full polished calf, ruled in gilt with floral corner emblems, the school’s armorial crest with motto Schola Grammatica Sydneiensis on upper board, Senior Knox Prize lettered below, spine in compartments with raised bands, gilt tooling and contrasting morocco title labels, lettered in gilt, marbled edges and endpapers, pp. xli; 649, illustrated. Self-contained novellas from The Biographical Edition of The Works of William Makepeace Thackeray published in thirteen volumes. A superb example, barely a hint of rubbing to the edges, a fine Sydney prize binding.

Known for his satire and biting wit, Thackeray’s popularity was second only to Charles Dickens in the Victorian era.

This book was awarded to James Farish Stephen, whose obituary appeared in The Sydneian, no. 358, July 1967:

‘JAMES FARISH STEPHEN James Farish Stephen (1901) died in December last. Mr. Stephen had a distinguished academic record at School winning the following prizes:- 1902 – Morehead Scholarship. 1895, 1901 – Knox Prizes. 1901 – Wigram Allen Prize Mathematics. 1900 Wigram Allen Prize Natural Science. He was a life Member of the Old Sydneians’ Union.’