first edition Hardcover
1869 · New York
by Robert Santon, Ed
New York: Leypoldt & Holt, 1869. Hardcover. Very Good +. The uncommon 1869 1st edition of this charming guidebook intended to record the "mental" characteristics of friends thru a series of uniform questions designed to pinpoint their tastes, attitudes and orientations. 34 separate 2-page spreads (versos and rectos) of indentical printed questions. What's so wonderful in this case though is that 20 of the 34 questionaires have been filled in (earnestly and thoroughly), between 1869 and 1871, rendering this an especially meaningful piece of Americana. Solid and VG+ in its bevelled, dark-green boards, with bright gilt-titling to the front panel and blindstamped titling at the rear. Neat 1907 pencil inscription to the front free endpaper, very light creasing along the rear pastedown and endsheet. Front inner hinge a bit tender but still perfectly sturdy. Octavo, also includes original pasted-in pencil caricature of one of the subjects of the questionaire.
(Inventory #: 14934)