ETHAN FROME by Wharton, Edith - 1911

1911. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1911. 1 preliminary page + 4 pp undated ads. Original red cloth.

First Edition of Edith Wharton's best-known book, a grim novella sited on a bleak Massachusetts farm. "As in THE HOUSE OF MIRTH, the central problem is that of the barriers imposed by local convention upon an individual whose happiness depends on rising above them" [OCAL]. This copy's leaves have a gilt top edge, and the word "wearily" is printed properly at the bottom of p. 135. Both copies with gilt top edge and copies with plain top edge appear with this word both perfect and battered: therefore, although it is generally assumed that "wearily" became battered during the 6000-copy print run (though it's possible it became battered and was then fixed), one cannot assume that the 2500 copies with gilt top edge were printed or issued earlier than the 3500 copies with plain top edge. In any event, this is a nearly fine copy (very slight fading of the spine, as is often the case). Garrison A19.1.a; Merle Johnson High-Spot pp 76-77.