Stephens, Ann S. | The scarce first dime novel, Ann Stephens's sensational western, Malaeska; The Indian Wife of the White Hunter

Stephens, Ann S. 

Malaeska; The Indian Wife of the White Hunter. New York: Irwin P. Beadle & Co., 1860 

12mo (169 x 110 mm). A few marginal spots. Original orange printed wrappers; spine chipped, lacking rear cover. Black morocco clamshell box.  

First edition of the first of the Beadle's Dime Novel series

The scarce first edition of this popular tale, the initial volume of Beadle's Dime Novel series, and therefore the first dime novel. The lurid tale set the standard for romantic frontier carnage which became the Beadle staple. 

"Erastus Flavel Beadle, of Buffalo, N.Y., had had such high success with a Dime Song Book that he conceived of the idea of the Dime Novel, and associated with him in the enterprise one Orville J. Victor, who edited the Series, worked out the details, and taught a corps of high-grade writers to produce the kind of story he wanted. The idea which began with Maleska was instantaneously successful; soldiers in the Civil War bought them by the wagon-load. There were 321 titles in the original series, ending in 1874, and 310 titles, mostly reprints of the first, in the 'New Dime Novel Series,' ending in 1885" (Celebration).

REFERENCE

Celebration of My Country 192; Grolier/American 70; Sabin 91283