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Theodore Dreiser. Sister Carrie....
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Description
Theodore Dreiser. Sister Carrie. New York: Doubleday, Page & Co., 1900.8vo. Publisher's dark red cloth lettered and ruled in black. Housed in a custom slipcase and matching chemise.
FIRST EDITION OF THE AUTHOR'S FIRST BOOK. PRESENTATION COPY, INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR to Eugene Katz, a writer for the New York Times: "For / Eugene Katz / from / Theodore Dreiser / N.Y. March - 1931."
The publication history of Sister Carrie is notable, colored by the moral outrage provoked by its scandalous subject matter. After being accepted by Doubleday, Page & Co. and a contract duly signed, Mrs. Doubleday - "an ardent social worker and active in movements of a highly moral order" (Orton) - objected to its publication, prompting the firm to attempt withdrawal. Dreiser insisted the firm honor their contract, and the book was issued, though with minimal promotion and poor sales. In total, Doubleday, Page & Co. records that 1,008 copies of the first edition were printed, of which 129 were sent out for review and 423 were remaindered (Orton). Fellow author Frank Norris - the Doubleday reader who had first championed the manuscript - is said to have secured roughly 100 copies for distribution to reviewers. The present copy may well be among those sent out at Norris's behest.
A rare presentation of a scarce book.
Condition: Cloth somewhat rubbed and worn; bookplate to front pastedown with some glue stains and light offsetting, not affecting inscription; Katz ownership to early fly leaf with some staining to leaf; half-title creased; scattered soiling to title page and throughout, generally confined to the margins.
References: Johnson, High Spots (1929), p. 29; Johnson, American First Editions, p. 61; McDonald 1; Orton, Dreiserana, pp. 14-19.
Provenance: Eugene Katz (bookplate, ownership inscription dated "March 1903," and presentation inscription dated 1931).
Auction Info
2025 December 15 Rare Books Signature® Auction #6323 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2025
15th
Monday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 2
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