Rise of Silas Lapham SIGNED by W. D. Howells to Bessie Potter Vannoh 1st Edition

Description: Signed, Dated and Inscribed by W. D. Howells - Great Inscription Presentation copy iinscribed to Bessie Potter Vonnoh (this is about a letter Howell wrote to her 3 days earlier that is now in the Smithsonian Museum)Bessie Potter Vonnoh's signature on title page1st Edition Houghton Mifflin copyright 1884 - published 1885 Please see pictures for more information and detail William Dean Howells (/ˈhaʊəlz/; March 1, 1837 – May 11, 1920) was an American realist novelist, literary critic, and playwright, nicknamed "The Dean of American Letters". He was particularly known for his tenure as editor of The Atlantic Monthly, as well as for his own prolific writings, including the Christmas story "Christmas Every Day" and the novels The Rise of Silas Lapham and A Traveler from Altruria. His 1885 novel The Rise of Silas Lapham became his best known work, describing the rise and fall of an American entrepreneur of the paint business. (See much more Wikipedia) Bessie Potter Vonnoh (August 17, 1872 – March 8, 1955) was an American sculptor best known for her small bronzes, mostly of domestic scenes, and for her garden fountains. Her stated artistic objective, as she told an interviewer in 1925, was to “look for beauty in the every-day world, to catch the joy and swing of modern American life.”In 1899 she married impressionist painter Robert Vonnoh, at his home in Rockland Lake, New York and honeymooned in Paris. At the 1900 Exposition Universelle, she was awarded a Bronze Medal for A Young Mother and exhibited another statuette, Girl Dancing (See Wikipedia for much more information)*****This book was inscribed to Bessie Potter Vonnoh on December 20, 1900 in response to a letter Howells sent her on December 17, 1900 (3 days earlier). This earlier letter of December 17th is in the Smithsonian Museum. In this letter he says he will send the "book back duly inscribed". Apparently she had sent the book over to him so he could inscribed it for her. Presumably the book he writes about is the one offered for sale here as 3 days later she receives this dated book with the inscription. Her signature is on the title page as the owner of the book. The inscription is very unique as Howell rewrites the last sentence of Silas Lapham and puts it into quotes, signs and dates it. (She had earlier given him a figurine which he wrote many accolades such as "it is to be worshipped, thank you, thank you".) Howell was considered Dean of American Letters and here is a scarce 1st edition uniquely signed to a noted artist.*****This scarce 1st edition volume is in very good condition for its age. Bumping on corners. There are small nicks/tears at top/bottom of spine. Toning to book - inside and out. Cracks open to title page but fully attached. No writing in book other than inscription. There are no remainder marks, not ex-library. Any issues have been reflected in the pricing. This item will be shipped with Signature Confirmation required (as required by eBay). Please see pictures for more information and detail. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have. I will be glad to take additional pictures. I tried to describe the book through words and pictures the best I can but if you are not 100% satisfied with the purchase, please know you can return the book for full refund. Boxed and packaged VERY carefully! Will ship within 1 business day of receiving payment. Thank you for looking!

Price: 1995 USD

Location: Okatie, South Carolina

End Time: 2024-11-17T15:17:57.000Z

Shipping Cost: 6.13 USD