THE THREE CLERKS. A Novel

1860. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1860. 6 pp undated ads. Original blind-stamped red ribbed-morocco grain cloth with spine lettered in gilt.

First American Edition of this early Trollope novel, which had first come out in late 1857 (three volumes, London post-dated 1858). This was his sixth novel, following the initial two "Irish" ones, LA VENDÉE set in France, and then THE WARDEN and BARCHESTER TOWERS. It was the success of these latter two that prompted Harper to begin publishing American editions beginning in 1858; this was the fourth Trollope title Harper published. Smith cites five binding variants (no known precedence); this copy is in red ribbed-morocco grain cloth, which is either Smith's binding "A -- dark reddish-brown" or "E -- moderate reddish-brown" (this copy simply looks "red" to us). Condition is very good-plus (quite minor wear at the extremities, a few string-indents on the rear cover, spine gilt less than bright); the original coffee-colored endpapers are intact, and the volume is tight. This is a tough title to find in any better condition. Smith 5 (pp 17-20). Provenance: flyleaf inscription from father to son in Hong Kong, "Feby 9th / 61"; penciled signature dated May 1987 of John [E.] Ruyle (1934-2008), the Berkeley bibliophile, writer and printer.