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The Princess Casamassima [First Issue]

The Princess Casamassima [First Issue]

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The Princess Casamassima [First Issue]

by JAMES, Henry (1828-1911)

  • Used
  • first
Condition
Fine-
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Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States
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About This Item

London and New York: Macmillan, 1886. First Edition. Decorative Cloth. Fine-. First American (and first single-volume) Edition, First Issue (with 1886 title page), of James's only overtly political novel. Crown 8vo (187 x 117mm): [4],596pp. BAL first-state binding: blue-green S cloth, front cover and spine stamped in gilt and black, rear cover stamped in blind, spine lettered in gilt, with no catalog inserted. Cover edges very lightly rubbed, end-sheets toned, small stain to fore-edge (not affecting text), but an excellent example, tightly bound and virtually pristine throughout (apparently unread). Edel & Laurence A29b. BAL 10578. Sadleir 1282a. First published serially in The Atlantic Monthly, in 1885 and 1886, then in three volumes, in 1886. This single-volume edition was printed in London, and the earliest issues were exported to America. The story of an intelligent but confused young London bookbinder, Hyacinth Robinson, who becomes involved in radical politics and a terrorist assassination plot. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, carefully preserved in archival, removable mylar sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).

Synopsis

The illegitimate and impoverished son of a dressmaker and a nobleman, Hyacinth Robinson has grown up with a strong sense of beauty that heightens his acute sympathy for the inequalities that surround him. Drawn into a secret circle of radical politics he makes a rash vow to commit a violent act of terrorism. But when the Princess Casamassima - beautiful, clever and bored - takes him up and introduces him to her own world of wealth and refinement, Hyacinth is torn. He is horrified by the destruction that would be wreaked by revolution, but still believes he must honour his vow, and finds himself gripped in an agonizing and, ultimately, fatal dilemma. A compelling blend of psychological observation, wit and compassion, The Princess Casamassima (1886) is one of Henry James's most deeply personal novels.

Reviews

On Sep 7 2017, a reader said:
To my small mind - this is the finest novel Henry James wrote period. JMK

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Details

Bookseller
Fine Editions Ltd US (US)
Bookseller's Inventory #
BB2802
Title
The Princess Casamassima [First Issue]
Author
JAMES, Henry (1828-1911)
Format/Binding
Decorative Cloth
Book Condition
Used - Fine-
Quantity Available
1
Edition
First Edition
Publisher
Macmillan
Place of Publication
London and New York
Date Published
1886
Bookseller catalogs
MODERN FIRSTS;
Note
May be a multi-volume set and require additional postage.

Terms of Sale

Fine Editions Ltd

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About the Seller

Fine Editions Ltd

Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Biblio member since 2005
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

About Fine Editions Ltd

Fine Editions specializes in First Editions of English and American Literature, Landmarks In Science and the History Of Ideas, Natural History and Color-Plate books, Travel and Voyages, and books on Gardening and Landscape Design. Our hallmark is condition: with few exceptions (mostly relating to our antiquarian stock), all books sold are in Near Fine or better conditions and all are highly collectible.

Glossary

Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:

Edges
The collective of the top, fore and bottom edges of the text block of the book, being that part of the edges of the pages of a...
Cloth
"Cloth-bound" generally refers to a hardcover book with cloth covering the outside of the book covers. The cloth is stretched...
Spine
The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
Gilt
The decorative application of gold or gold coloring to a portion of a book on the spine, edges of the text block, or an inlay in...
First Edition
In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
BAL
Bibliography of American Literature (commonly abbreviated as BAL in descriptions) is the quintessential reference work for any...
New
A new book is a book previously not circulated to a buyer. Although a new book is typically free of any faults or defects, "new"...

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