Davis, R[ichard] H[arding].

8vo (203 x 155mm.), first edition and first separate publication of a work by the author, presentation copy to the actor Francis Wilson inscribed by the author ("To Francis Wilson | with sincere | regards of | Richard Harding Davis | 'Oh, that mine enemy would | write a book - at the age of | eighteen'") on preliminary blank, 6 full-page illustrations by H.W. Rowley, 6pp. advertisements at end, original printed wrappers with design and lettering in black, green cloth chemise and slipcase, pencil sketch to final illustration, final blank excised, wrappers creased with some chipping and loss to extremities including loss of 34mm. to foot of spine, later ownership signature on upper wrapper

Francis Wilson, inscription; H.H. Furness Jr., later inscription; Seven Gables Bookshop, 1972 catalogue description; H. Bradley Martin, bookplate, his sale ("Highly Important American and Children's Literature"), Sotheby's New York, 30 January 1990, lot 2025

BAL 4508; Jackson, 21 or Younger 19; Quinby 1; Seven Gables, More First Books 84 (this copy)

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."

Rare. Printed at the expense of the author's mother, this volume was sold for 25c around Lehigh University which Davis attended. Realizing that the book was not selling, Davis's family bought up the remaining copies and hid them in the attic. Discovering them years later, Davis destroyed them. Of the ten copies located in Seven Gables Bookshop's catalogue, More First Books (New York, 1972), seven are in institutional collections.

The collation in BAL omits a conjugate pair of blank leaves at the front of the book and another conjugate pair of blank leaves at the end of the volume. It is the final blank leaf which is excised in this copy.

A later inscription ("To | Francis | With sincere | regards of | H.H. Furness Jr. | Dec. 9 | 1898") is from the Shakespeare scholar and co-editor of The Variorum Shakespeare.