Hardcover
1872 · New York
by De Mille, James
New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1872. Hardcover. 132p., printed smallpoint in double columns with a divider-line, illustrated with numerous steel engravings in half- and quarter-page size, these struck clearly. Later printing of the 1871 first issue, hardbound in 9.5x5.8 inch brownish-maroon cloth boards, titling gilt and panelling blind. Exterior cloth is worn and dirty with fray and card showing at corner-tips and at top and tail of spine. Original matte brown endsheets are good, front endsheet shows a hairline crack but feels sound. At leaf 37/8 a long closed tear in text, legibility unaffected. Book remains generally pretty sound, is handleable and readable. Storyline appears to include a sub-plot in which local protestant and catholic clergymen are reconciled, Italian-Americans get-a to speak funny, and rural Irish are mocked. (Inventory #: 235895)