Lot 49
  • 49

DAVIS, RICHARD HARDING. THE ADVENTURES OF MY FRESHMAN, [1883-84], PRESENTATION COPY OF THE AUTHOR'S FIRST WORK (1 VOL.)

Estimate
600 - 900 GBP
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Description

  • The Adventures of My Freshman. Bethlehem, PA: Moravian Print, [1883-84]
  • Paper
8vo, FIRST EDITION AND FIRST SEPARATE PUBLICATION OF A WORK BY THE AUTHOR, PRESENTATION COPY TO THE ACTOR FRANCIS WILSON, inscribed on preliminary blank 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' ", 6 full-page illustrations by H.W. Rowley, 6pp. advertisements at end, original pictorial wrappers, cloth chemise and slipcase, pencil drawing added to final illustration, final blank leaf excised, wrappers creased with some chipping and loss to extremities including loss of 34mm. to foot of backstrip

Provenance

Francis Wilson, inscription noted above; H.H. Furness Jr. (Shakespeare scholar), presentation inscription; H. Bradley Martin, book label (sale Sotheby's New York, 30 January 1990, lot 2025)

Literature

BAL 4508; Jackson, "21 or Younger", 19; Quinby 1

Condition

the condition of this lot is as described in the catalogue description
"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."

Catalogue Note

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 books were not selling, Davis's family bought up the remaining copies and hid them in the attic. Discovering them years later, Davis destroyed them. Of ten copies located, seven are in institutional collections.