Sewell, Anna

12mo (165 x 102mm.), FIRST EDITION, wood-engraved frontispiece, 8pp. advertisements, original pictorial red cloth stamped in black and gilt, front cover with horse's head in gilt looking left within medallion, spine in gilt and black with raised lettering (Carter's C binding), green cloth chemise and quarter red morocco folding box, remains of slight crease to leaf A1, some minor soiling and very light spotting, unobtrusive repairs to cloth and lower hinge

Wolff 6250a; Carter, More Binding Variants p.37

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."

A near fine copy of the phenomenally successful classic children's book, the Quaker author's only publication, written during periods of ill health between 1871 and 1877, often through dictation to the author's mother. The aim of the book, Anna Sewell wrote at the time, was to "induce kindness, sympathy, and an understanding treatment of horses" (Mrs Bayly, The life and letters of Mrs Sewell, 1889). The author died just five months after publication.

"Anna Sewell has been neglected by history. In ironic contrast, her only book has achieved phenomenal success. Pirated in America in 1890, its sales broke publishing records. It is said to be 'the sixth best seller in the English language'" [(E.B. Wells and A. Grimshaw, The annotated 'Black Beauty',1989)] (Adrienne E. Gavin, Oxford DNB).