signed first edition Small 8vo., gilt-tooled olive cloth, all edges gilt; 142 pages
1849 · Boston
by BURNHAM, George Pickering
Boston: R. B. Fitts & Co, 1849. Third Edition [Wright I, 462]. This popular title went through three editions in just one year but yet it is rare to find in the marketplace. Signed presentation from the author & publisher?? on the front endpaper: "Harriet Fitz Parker, This book was published by R. B. White." Then, below in another hand: "and written by Geo. P. Burnham." After some long and rather tedious research, I have been unable to find an example of either Fitts' or Burnham's handwriting or signatures. Nor was I able to discover who Ms. Parker might be. So, book and signatures are sold "as is" and I am hopeful someone can shed some light on them. Burnham lived in Achsah, Cape Cod and wrote several books. He was also editor for a literary weekly tabloid, called "The American Union, based in Boston, of which Fitts was the publisher. Some independent research indicates that George Burnham may not have written these stories. They were allegedly written--with perhaps one or two exceptions--by Mathew Franklin Whittier, younger brother of poet John Greenleaf Whittier. Around 1848, Burnham and his business partner, Francis A. Durivage, may have swindled Whittier out of the rights to his own portfolio, going back to the early 1830s. Whittier may have unwittingly signed a contract which gave them carte blanche rights to it. These stories may be taken from that portfolio. Small 8vo., gilt-tooled olive cloth, all edges gilt; 142 pages. Illustrated by Hitchcock.. Very Good (covers quite amazingly bright, some occasional foxing text, else clean & tight). Pricing on a whim because this seems to be a rare title, which is surprising after going through three editions. And, if signatures are authentic, then quite a find indeed!
(Inventory #: 3392)