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George Eliot [Mary Ann Evans]. Adam Bede. Edinburgh and London: William Blackwood and Sons, 1859....
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Description
An extremely fine association copy, inscribed to one of her closest friends and confidants
George Eliot [Mary Ann Evans]. Adam Bede. Edinburgh
and London: William Blackwood and Sons, 1859.3 volumes, 8vo. Half-titles; 16 pp. of publisher's advertisements at the end of Vol. III. Original cinnamon cloth, covers decorated in blind, spines lettered and decorated in gilt, untrimmed, with binder's ticket of Edmonds & Remnants on rear pastedown of Vol. I; full morocco pull-off case.
FIRST EDITION. PRESENTATION COPY, INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR TO ONE OF HER CLOSEST FRIENDS, on the front flyleaf: "To Barbara L. S. Bodichon, the friend who first recognized me in this book. I give it as a remembrance of the moment when she cheered one by that recognition and her joy in it. / George Eliot / July 7. 1859."
Adam Bede was Eliot's first full-length novel, while her first published work of fiction Scenes of Clerical Life (1856), was a collection of novellas. By 1859, Eliot was already a respected editor, essayist, and reviewer, but noted: "it had always been a vague dream of mine that some time or other I might write a novel," but feared she was "deficient in dramatic power." When it was published, Adam Bede became an instant success, and there was great public pressure to reveal the pseudonymity. Because of her controversial relationship with George Lewes, Eliot (Evans) was concerned she would come under scrutiny hurting both her private life, as well as sales of the book.
In May, 1859, Barbara Smith Bodichon, one of her closest friends, read some excerpts in a magazine while in Algeria, and wrote to the author that they "made me internally exclaim, that is written by Marian Evans." The author confirmed it to her in confidence, and sent Bodichon the present copy with its warm inscription to her friend. Presentation copies of Eliot's works are very rare, and this is the only inscribed copy of a first edition of Adam Bede that is recorded in online auction records, where it has appeared twice before.
Laid in is an autograph letter from Barbara Bodichon signed ("B.L.S.B."), to "My dearest Aunt Patty," written from Algiers, 29 November [1859], 4 pages, 8vo, discussing family and literary matters. In the letter she discusses the authorship of Adam Bede: "I never knew she had written fiction...yet I know Adam Bede was by her-for in it I Saw her peculiar & surpassing tenderness & wisdom. I know no one so learned & tender & delicate."
Condition: Minor wear to spine ends, with slight fraying and a few splits; corners a little bumped and worn; spines slightly leaned; minor rubbing.
References: Parrish 12; Sadlier 812; Wolff 2056.
Provenance: Barbara Smith Bodichon (presentation inscription, and her address stamp ("Scaland Gate, Robertsbridge, Hawkhurst") on half-titles; sold at Sotheby's, 21 March 1966, lot 91; William E. Stockhausen (his sale, Sotheby Parke Bernet, 19 November, 1974, lot 165). From the William A. Strutz Library.
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Auction Info
2024 June 27 Important English and American Literature: The William A. Strutz Library, Part I, Rare Books Signature® Auction #6295 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
June, 2024
27th
Thursday
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