Collins, Wilkie

The Moonstone. A Novel...with many illustrations. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1868, first American edition, double column, advertisement leaves for Harper's Library of Select Novels and works by Dinah Maria Mulock Craik etc. at the beginning, original brown sand-grain cloth blocked in blind and lettered in gilt on the spine, preserved in folding cloth box, slightly browned, spine slightly faded, some edge-wear, possible repair to upper hinge; with Tauchnitz Edition, Leipzig, 1918, reprint, original wrappers, preserved in black cloth box, covers slightly browned with some short tears; Man and Wife. With Illustrations. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1870, first American edition, double column, 4 pp. advertisements at the end, original purple cloth, covers decorated in blind, spine lettered in gilt, spine slightly faded; 8vo (4)

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when 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."

First American edition (published in the same year) of  the author's classic novel, "probably the finest detective story ever written" (Dorothy L. Sayers). The author's achievement is all the more remarkable in that he was under enormous stress when writing it: his mother (who is the dedicatee) died in March 1868 and Collins himself was too ill to attend her funeral; he subsequently turned to an amanuensis to dictate the rest of the novel.