Alcott, Louisa May | First edition of one of the most endearing American novels of the 19th century

The Passion of American Collectors: Property of Barbara and Ira Lipman

Alcott, Louisa May

Little Women, or Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. Boston: Roberts Brothers, 1868 and 1869

2 volumes, 8vo (166 x 109 mm). [Little Women]: First edition, first issue. 4 wood-engraved plates by Abigail May Alcott, 6pp. publisher's advertisements at the end; minor toning. [Part Second]: First edition, second issue. 4 wood-engraved plates, publisher's 8pp. advertisements at the end; minor toning, a few stray spots, lower margin of pp. 153-4 wrinkled. Each volume in publisher's green cloth, covers ruled in blind, titles gilt-lettered within a gilt Greek key oval to upper covers and spines, brown coated endpapers; some bubbling to cloth of first volume, some rubbing to extremities with fractional loss, two joints starting, one choir of first volume slightly loose but holding. House in custom slipcase. 

First edition — “'She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain'.”

Louisa May Alcott was born in Germantown, 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 Insley Blair copy

PROVENANCE

Nathalie Blair (Blairhame booklabel to front pastedown of each volume) — Annie McFadon (contemporary ownership and gift inscriptions to front free endpapers) — Christie's New York, 14 December 2016, lot 192

REFERENCE

BAL 158, 159; Grolier 100-74