Tales From The Coffee House, by William Charles Crocker (First Edition with Dust Jacket), 1973 ⚜️📜🏛️
1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️
This is a First Edition of "Tales from the Coffee House: Stories About Lloyd's," a classic work by the author William Charles Crocker.
Published by Robert Hale & Company in 1973, this book is a collection of short stories that offer a glimpse into the culture and history of the world-famous insurance market, Lloyd's of London. This volume is a premier acquisition for any serious collector of corporate history or first editions.
2. About the Book 📖✍️✨
"Tales from the Coffee House" is a collection of stories that bring to life the world of Lloyd's of London. The book provides a mix of anecdotes and tales about the institution's history, its unique characters, and the events that have shaped it.
It offers a fascinating look at the inner workings of a major financial institution, blending history with storytelling in an engaging narrative.
3. About the Author ✍️🏛️
William Charles Crocker was an author who focused on writing about the history and culture of institutions like Lloyd's of London.
His achievement with this book lies in his ability to collect and present these stories in an accessible format for a general readership. His work serves as a valuable resource for those interested in the history of finance and corporate culture.
4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜
Published in 1973, this book belongs to a period of growing interest in institutional and corporate history. The book is a tangible document of the post-WWII era's fascination with the stories and traditions behind major financial institutions.
The personal inscription, dated a year after its publication, provides a small, unique piece of provenance, connecting this book to a specific moment in time.
5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️
This book is for a curator of corporate history, a scholar of finance, or a private collector of narrative fiction. It is an ideal acquisition for an individual who values a book for its literary merit and its status as a significant cultural artifact.
The book appeals to those who are interested in the intersection of corporate history and storytelling.
6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️
As a First Edition of a best-selling novel, this book is a collectible item. While not exceptionally rare, a well-preserved first printing in this condition is more scarce than a mass-produced later edition. The presence of the original dust jacket significantly adds to its value. The value is a direct reflection of the book's historical significance, its physical integrity, and the scarcity of a copy with its original dust jacket.
This book is approximately 52 years old.
7. Condition 🔎📚✨
This book is a used hardcover edition with its original dust jacket. The dust jacket shows visible wear consistent with its age, including rubbing, scuffing, and some discoloration. The hardcover binding is in good condition. The pages are age-toned but remain clear and legible. A handwritten inscription is on the front endpaper, which reads: "Dec. 1974.
For Jim, With Best Wishes, Leon Bienad." The overall condition is an honest and transparent portrayal of a well-cared-for volume that was likely a cherished part of a home library.
8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩
The book contains a personal inscription dated December 1974. The inscription, "For Jim, With Best Wishes, Leon Bienad," adds a unique, personal piece of provenance.
The book offers a fascinating look at the inner workings of Lloyd's of London. It is a First Edition with its original dust jacket.
9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰
Author: William Charles Crocker
Publication Date: 1973
Edition: First Edition
Publisher: Robert Hale & Company
Place of Publication: London
Unique Provenance: "Leon Bienad" inscription.
Book Cover Type: Hardcover with original dust jacket.
Genre: Short Stories, Corporate History.
