first edition
1917 · New York
by TRAIN, Arthur [Chesney]
New York: Delacorte, 1917. First Edition. First Printing. Octavo (19cm); green cloth covered boards titled in gilt on the cover and spine; 434+[5], ads. Spine ends are pushed; minor rubbing to corners; faint hint of foxing to the textblock; heavy erasure to half title page; Very Good+ or better, lacking the DJ.
"The day Tom Kelly was born the "Old Elm" on Boston Common was struck by lightning. This being one of those phenomena of nature denominated "acts of God" by the insurance companies, the correct inhabitants of the ancient New England capital were somewhat in doubt as to whether to consider the occurrence a "deliberately unfriendly act" on the part of the Deity, or to regard it merely as an uncalled-for and rather ill-advised eccentricity. However, by this fact the well-informed reader can fix with accuracy the date upon which this story opens." (from the text). (Inventory #: 53929)
"The day Tom Kelly was born the "Old Elm" on Boston Common was struck by lightning. This being one of those phenomena of nature denominated "acts of God" by the insurance companies, the correct inhabitants of the ancient New England capital were somewhat in doubt as to whether to consider the occurrence a "deliberately unfriendly act" on the part of the Deity, or to regard it merely as an uncalled-for and rather ill-advised eccentricity. However, by this fact the well-informed reader can fix with accuracy the date upon which this story opens." (from the text). (Inventory #: 53929)