[Rarebooks] FS: Very Nice Copy of Theodore Dreiser's Scarce First Book, the Classic SISTER CARRIE

[Charles Agvent]

 From our recent catalog of 60 fine items in a variety of fields, all of 
which can be seen here:

http://www.charlesagvent.com

DREISER, Theodore. SISTER CARRIE. New York: Doubleday, Page & Company, 
1900. First Edition. Publisher's wine-red cloth stamped in black. 
Dreiser's first and most important book, both a modern classic and a 
genuine rarity with only 1000 copies printed and those copies suppressed 
by the publisher due to the book's unflinching depiction of an innocent 
girl's spiral downward. Many believe that as few as 100 copies now 
exist. An uncommon opportunity to obtain a landmark book, one of the 
scarcest of the twentieth century, a book that paved the way for a host 
of writers to come in dealing frankly with sexual situations that 
previously were either hushed or sensationalized. Typical darkening of 
the spine but the lettering is still readable. The spine tips, usually 
found frayed, are rubbed and soft but intact. The text is fresh and 
bright. Most importantly, both hinges--nearly always found split, 
cracked, or repaired--are here completely intact and original. A Near 
Fine copy and quite scarce in this condition.

After Harper and Brothers declined to print the novel, Dreiser 
approached Doubleday, Page, and Co., because it had published the 
writings of Frank Norris, a promising naturalistic writer whose novel 
McTEAGUE had recently caused a stir. Norris was an advisor for Doubleday 
and enthusiastically supported the publication of SISTER CARRIE, later 
calling it "the best novel I had read in M.S. since I had been reading 
for the firm." Based on Norris's favorable praise, junior partner, 
Walter Hines Page, promised Dreiser that Doubleday would publish the 
book. However, after reading Dreiser's manuscript, Frank Doubleday 
objected to the immoral behavior of the novel's characters and urged his 
firm to reconsider its publication. After finding that Doubleday and 
Page was legally obligated to print the novel, he allowed its 
publication but refused to promote it. As a result, the novel sold only 
456 copies, and Dreiser received a mere $68.40 in royalties. It was only 
after Dreiser had established his literary reputation with later novels 
and after a 1912 reprint by Harper and Brothers had been published that 
the story of SISTER CARRIE was acknowledged for its stark and realistic 
depiction of a young woman's struggles. Though many would not think of 
Theodore Dreiser as an advocate for women's rights, this novel 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. And of George Hurstwood, the well-to-do 
married man who has an affair with Carrie, Joseph Epstein has said, 
"Dreiser has created the most persuasive portrait in literature of a man 
in social, psychological, physical, and moral decline."         $7,500.00

See images of this book here:

http://home.ptd.net/~chagvent/015959.jpg

http://home.ptd.net/~chagvent/015959a.jpg

-- 
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