Five Men of Frankfort The Rothschilds by M.E. Ravage first edition 1929

RAVAGE, M. E. (1884-1965). Five Men of Frankfort. The Story of the Rothschilds. With Five Portraits by Karl S. Woerner. London: George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd., 1929.

First UK edition, in the first issue binding of blue cloth, lettered and ruled in gilt to the spine, the boards panelled in blind. Octavo, 332 pp. Five black-and-white portrait plates, including the frontispiece, by Karl S. Woerner. Slight rubbing to the spine ends, a previous owner's name in pencil to the front free endpaper and occasional light foxing. A very good copy in the original unclipped dustwrapper, priced 10/6 net. Wrapper toned to the spine, with a stain to the rear panel and wear and short tears to the spine ends and edges, but complete without loss.

An account of the rise of the Rothschild banking dynasty, centred on the five sons of Mayer Amschel Rothschild and the establishment of the family houses in Frankfurt, London, Paris, Vienna and Naples. Particularly striking for its Art Deco dustwrapper, with the five towering geometric forms.