BIERCE, AMBROSE | Can Such Things Be? New York: The Cassell Publishing Company, 1893

The Property of a Gentleman

BIERCE, AMBROSE

Can Such Things Be? New York: The Cassell Publishing Company, 1893

8vo (4 3/4 x 7 1/4 in.; 121 x 184 mm). Some toning. original blue cloth, upper cover lettered and pictorially stamped in black and red, lower cover with rules and Greek key in blind, spine lettered in gilt with floral motif in gilt and black, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper; minor rubbing to extremities, minor scuff to upper cover. In custom aqua cloth over marbled board clamshell case.  

First edition, inscribed by the author: “Carrie Christiansen, from her friend, the Author. Oakland, Cal. Jan. 22 1894”

Karen Christiansen, also known as Carrie, was Ambrose Bierce’s secretary and companion for many years, and the beneficiary of his literary estate under his will. Bierce’s last letter before he disappeared, dated 26 December 1913, was addressed to Miss Christiansen in Washington, D.C. The present volume remained in Christiansen’s family for over a century. 

A remarkable presentation copy

PROVENANCE

Karen Christiansen (author's inscription to front free endpaper)