ALGE, S. & RIPMAN, Walter. RIPPMANN

Original blue cloth printed in black, vii+184pp. A very nice bright copy. Clean and tight. Foyles label inside cover. Book slightly cocked (with lean). Not dated, possibly about 1920-25 (c.f. preface and spelling of 'Ripman'), printed by Temple Press Letchworth (flower drawing). 3 colour lithos., very attractive. Language series lists to endpapers. Used; Very Good First published in English in 1898. By the editor of Dent's Modern Language Series Walter Ripman (Rippmann) and M. Alage, a teacher from Switzerland. Ripman, a dynamic and energetic figure who wrote and edited much on language teaching, speech and spelling later published a similar book called "First Steps in French" according to his 'reform method'. He was a major proponent of the use of phonetics in schools; a 'phonetic' edition of this book was also issued. Phonetics are present here in the vocabulary and in some poetry at the back. See "The Real Professor Higgins: The Life and Career of Daniel Jones" Collins, 1999.