Harper's Weekly: A Journal of Civilization - Two Volumes by [Bangs, John Kendrick; Emile Zola; Mark Twain; Robert Chambers; Theodore Dreiser] - 1901

New York: Harper & Brothers, 1901. Hardcover. Very Good. Hardcover. Scarce. Two folio volumes with all of the issues of the Weekly for 1901. They are a fascinating compilation of articles, events, news, and numerous illustrations documenting the events in the United States and around the world. They offer an enthralling view of the country's concerns and interests at the beginning of the 20th century. Even the advertisements for products and services are quite interesting. This was a year of important news. Wililiam McKinley was inaugurated as president in January. He was assassinated in September and Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in as president. There was of course extensive coverage, particularly in September of the assassination and funeral. Queen Victoria of England died in January after a reign of over 63 years. This was covered with several pages of illustrations plus a supplement was published in February in memorium of the Queen along with several articles about British Royalty. In February there was a ten page pictorial review of the Queen's heir, King Edward VII. January also brought the inauguration of the Australian commonwealth. Other notable events included the excavation of the New York subway and the excavation of the Panama Canal. The US took over control of the project in 1904 and continued to control the canal until 1977. There was continuing coverage of the country's new possessions as the result of the Spanish-American War, particularly the Philippines and Cuba.

There were several noteworthy literary contributions. In January Harper's began serializing Emile Zola's Labor. There were eleven installments. Also appearing in January was a poem "To the XIX Century" by John Kendrick Bangs. Bangs was a frequent contributor and also served as the editor from 1899-1901. An interesting item was a "debate" between Bangs and Mark Twain on the topic "Is Philippine Policy Just?" Twain said yes and Bangs said no. There were 27 installments of thehistorical novel Cardigan by Robert W. Chambers. He was famously noted for his weird short stories that sometimes had elements of science fiction. Bound in black cloth with gilt titling to spines, which are sunned. Covers jave wear and there is chipping to corners and spine edges. Interior pages are generally very good, with a closed tear on pages 585-586 and an open tear at the top of pages 1255-1256. PER/61923.