Alcott, Louisa May.

Little Women, or Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, [Part one], Boston: Roberts Brothers, 1868; first edition, first issue, 6pp. advertisements at end; Little Women, or Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, [Part one], Boston: Roberts Brothers, 1869, later issue, 10pp. advertisements at end; Little Women, or Meg. Jo, Beth and Amy, Boston: Roberts Brothers, 1869, "Part second", first edition, second issue, 8pp. advertisements at end; 3 volumes, 8vo (165 x 105mm.), each with 4 illustrations by May Alcott, original purple cloth blocked in gilt on upper covers and spines, maroon cloth chemises and morocco-backed slipcase, title-page of first slightly spotted, slight wear along upper hinge and spotting to fore-edge of the second, minor rubbing at foot of all spines

L.J. Carpenter, pencil inscriptions dated 21 May 1869; Katharine de Berkeley Parsons, book-labels, sale at Sotheby's, 6 October 1976, lot 1; Mrs Charles W. Englehard, sale at Christie's, 27 October 1995

BAL 158, 159; Peter Parley to Penrod 30.

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Fine bright copies of these celebrated stories based on the author's own experiences. Louisa May Alcott was born in Germanstown, Pennsylvania and spent most of her life in Massachusetts. Educated by her father, the philosopher and writer, Amos Bronson Alcott, she began writing to help support her family. She too, like her heroine Jo, wrote stories for pulp magazines under a male pseudonym. The illustrations were by her sister May, upon whom the character of Amy was based. 

The first volume is the first issue with no reference to "Part second"; the second volume is a later issue printing from 1869 with this reference on page 341; Part second is the second issue with the notice referring to "Little Women, Part First" on page [iv], and four entries in the advertisement leaf at page [364].