Click for full-size.
SISTER CARRIE
by DREISER, Theodore
- Used
- Hardcover
- Signed
- Condition
- Small spot of white paint on the fore-edge of slipcase and the very top of the spine of the book. About Fine in a close to Fine
- Seller
-
Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
New York: Limited Editions Club, 1939. Hardcover. Small spot of white paint on the fore-edge of slipcase and the very top of the spine of the book. About Fine in a close to Fine slipcase. Reginald Marsh. Tall octavo (7" x 10-1/2") bound in half natural Irish linen with a gilt-stamped brown leather label and brown cloth sides. Copy #677 of 1500 copies designed and printed by Joseph Blumenthal at the Spiral Press with 47 soft crayon pencil drawings by Reginald Marsh beautifully reproduced and merged with the text. SIGNED by the artist on the colophon page.
Though many would not think of Theodore Dreiser as an advocate for women's rights, his first book, SISTER CARRIE, was enlightening in its portrayal of a young single woman's struggle to survive in a post-Victorian urban environment. His work shortly after as editor-in-chief of the magazine THE DELINEATOR provided further evidence for Dreiser's concern for women's struggle to survive in early 20th century American society.
Though many would not think of Theodore Dreiser as an advocate for women's rights, his first book, SISTER CARRIE, was enlightening in its portrayal of a young single woman's struggle to survive in a post-Victorian urban environment. His work shortly after as editor-in-chief of the magazine THE DELINEATOR provided further evidence for Dreiser's concern for women's struggle to survive in early 20th century American society.
Synopsis
Journalist-turned-author Theodore Dreiser’s novel Sister Carrie, which some consider to be the “greatest of all American urban novels,” is the quintessential country-mouse-in-the-city story, only more… risqué. The novel tells the story of Caroline “Sister Carrie” Meeber, a young girl from rural Wisconsin who moves to Chicago with hopes of becoming a star. Carrie first stays with her older sister and her husband, but she soon becomes involved with a married man and a series of other morally questionable decisions follow. While Carrie may sound obviously blinded by her dreams of a glamorous future — and some may argue that’s because she is — Dreiser chose to present her character and others with a focus on human instinct as opposed to judgment, making it an early work of the naturalist movement. As one might expect, Dreiser had a difficult time finding and securing a publisher for Sister Carrie. After the manuscript had already been rejected twice, Doubleday, Page’s Frank Norris, author of the naturalistic novel McTeague, offered Dreiser a contract for the publication. This resulted in some upset within the publishing house — primarily due to book’s “lack of morality” — and Doubleday, Page tried to back out of the deal. Dreiser demanded that the contract be fulfilled and Doubleday published 1,008 copies in November 1900. However, the novel was perhaps not as thoroughly publicized as it could have been. Just 465 copies actually sold (not including the 129 that were sent out for reviews). The remaining 423 copies were later turned over to a remainder house. Unsurprisingly, Sister Carrie received negative response shortly after publication. Beyond the novel’s general sexual content and overall pessimistic tone, critics of the time took issue with the idea of Carrie engaging in illicit sexual relationships without suffering any consequences. Also unsurprisingly, Sister Carrie is another example of a masterpiece that could only be appreciated with time. In his 1930 Nobel Prize lecture, Sinclair Lewis compared the impact of Dreiser’s Sister Carrie to the work of Mark Twain and Walt Whitman. Carrie, a film adaptation directed by William Wyler and starring Laurence Olivier and Jennifer Jones, premiered in 1952. Sister Carrie is ranked 33rd on Modern Library’s “100 Best” English-language novels of the 20th century.
Read More: Identifying first editions of SISTER CARRIE
Reviews
(Log in or Create an Account first!)
Details
- Bookseller
- Charles Agvent
(US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 009485
- Title
- SISTER CARRIE
- Author
- DREISER, Theodore
- Illustrator
- Reginald Marsh
- Format/Binding
- Hardcover
- Book Condition
- Used - Small spot of white paint on the fore-edge of slipcase and the very top of the spine of the book. About Fine in a close to Fine
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Publisher
- Limited Editions Club
- Place of Publication
- New York
- Date Published
- 1939
- Keywords
- Theodore Dreiser, Signed, Spiral Press, Limited Editions, Reginald Marsh, First Book
Terms of Sale
Charles Agvent
All books subject to prior sale. Payment with order; institutions may be billed. Postage additional: $11.00 for the first book, $6.00 each thereafter. Overseas postage billed at approximate cost. Pennsylvania residents must add 6% sales tax. Mastercard, Visa, and American Express accepted. We are also open to reasonable payment terms. A book may be returned within 7 days of receipt for any reason provided it is in the same condition as sent and prior notice is given. Please insure returns for their full value.
About the Seller
Charles Agvent
Biblio member since 2003
Fleetwood, Pennsylvania
About Charles Agvent
We carry a diverse and select stock with major specialties including Modern and 19th Century Literary First Editions, Signed Books & Autographs (especially Presidential and Literary), and Limited Editions Club books. We have been in business since 1987 and are proud to be members of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America (ABAA) and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB).
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Octavo
- Another of the terms referring to page or book size, octavo refers to a standard printer's sheet folded four times, producing...
- Cloth
- "Cloth-bound" generally refers to a hardcover book with cloth covering the outside of the book covers. The cloth is stretched...
- Colophon
- The colophon contains information about a book's publisher, the typesetting, printer, and possibly even includes a printer's...
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
- 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....
Frequently asked questions
This Book’s Categories
Collecting Miniature Books
Teeny, tiny, beautiful books...the world of miniature books is one that involves a lot of imagination and craftsmanship. Dive in and see!
Collecting and Using City Directories
Don’t overlook that old city directory - it is priceless for authors, collectors who focus on specific cities, geneaology, and other niche interests. Learn more...
