WOMAN ON HER WAY

New York: Farrar & Rinehart, 1946. Near fine in very good plus jacket.. First edition of this epic chronicle of the early 20th century, following the life of a woman married at 17 who starts designing dresses to support her family on her own. Baldwin developed a writing career as one of the highest paid women writers in the United States. Her books offered fantasy and sophistication, but featured relatable heroines; THE NEW YORK TIMES called her "the doyenne of American light-fiction writers" (DAB). Baldwin was unashamed unashamed that her novels were considered "escapist": "People had to have some escape hatch, some way to get out of themselves, especially during the Depression" (DAB 21). 8'' x 5.5''. Original blue cloth, spine stamped in brown and gilt. In original unclipped ($2.50) color pictorial dust jacket by Robert Hallock. Fore-edge machine deckle. [8], 309, [1] pages. Jacket with some shallow edgewear, slight toning to spine. Book with slight toning to edges. Bright.