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HAY, John : Castilian Days

Boughton, Mifflin and Company, Boston. 1906

Reprint. No DW. 343pp. Frontispiece, illustrations throughout. Bound in original black illustrated cloth, gilt. Top edge gilt. A very lovely copy only slightly worn. VG+.

Hay, John : Castilian Days

James R. Osgood and Company, Boston, MA, 1871

First issue. Inscribed but not signed by the author. Author's inscription appears at the top of the title page in pencil: "Presented to J. S. Bradley[?]." Original publisher's brown cloth binding with gilt lettering on the front cover and spine. The lettering on the front cover is an impressed facsimile signature of John Hay. This impressed facsimile signature also appears on the back cover but is not gilt. Pages are very clean and intact. Covers are clean and intact overall. Chipping at the head of the spine. Rubbing at the tail of spine. Front joint cracked. Some tearing to the front endpaper with a small chip at the top. Small number ".10" on title page. Corners slightly worn. A Good copy. John Hay (1838-1905) was an American politician who served as private secretary to President Abraham Lincoln and later as Secretary of State under the under the administrations of Presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt. The book contains Hay's impression and opinions of Spain when he was appointed as diplomat and Secretary at the United States Legation in Madrid. During this time, Spain was in political turmoil. While the book may be considered a travelogue, there are many sections of criticism and political commentary. Chapters include the following: "Madrid al Fresco," "Spanish Living and Dying," "Influence of Tradition in Spanish Life," "Tauromachy," "Red-Letter Days," "An Hour with the Painters," "A Castle in the Air," "The City of the Visigoths," "The Escorial," "A Miracle Play," "An Evening with Ghosts," "Proverbial Philosophy," "The Cradle and Grave of Cervantes," "A Field Night in the Cortes," "The Moral of Spanish Politics," "The Bourbon Duel," and "Necessity of the Republic." Author's preface: "The papers composing this volume were written in Madrid in the spring of last year. Since then a series of important modifications have taken place in the politics of Spain, through the accession of King Amadeus, and the death of Marshal Prim. Nevertheless, I see no reason for changing the view I then formed and expressed in regard to the general features of Spanish political life, its prospects and its needs. There are those who think the Spaniards are not fit for freedom. I believe no people are fit for anything else." Referenced in the Bibliography of American Literature (BAL) as no. 7742.. Book. Book Condition: Good. Binding: Hardcover

1st Edition, 1st Issue
Inscribed by Author(s)

Hay, John : CASTILIAN DAYS

Houghton and Mifflin, New York, 1903

Very minor rubbing to extremities. Small sticker in rear endpaper; Originally published in 1871, John Hay's classic is here reprinted with stereotypes and jingoism intact. Features dark blue boards with ornate design and cover illustration ; B&W Illustrations; 8vo; 343 pages, Very Good+

Hay, John (The Honble. ) : CASTILIAN DAYS

William Heinemann, London, 1903

Light rubbing to extremities and with outer hinge rubbed around spine heels. Bookplate. Small newspaper article pasted on first blank page; Rebound in full calf leather with gilt frame and decorative three dimensional pattern. Spine (a bit darkened) with five raised bands and gilt lettering. All edges gilt. Handwritten letter SIGNED by John Hay, on Department of State, stationery bound-in. John Hay was the US Secretary of State who negotiated the treaty that lead directly to the United States optaining permission to build the Panama Canal (Hay-Paunceforte Treaty). This letter was written when he was already Secretary of State, two years before his death. He was also responsible for the Open-Door policy with China; 8vo; 276 pages, Very Good+

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