LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY. [signed by the author]

1886. [signed, also with an A.L.s.] New-York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1886. 14 pp undated ads. Original medium-brown cloth pictorially decorated in red, black and gilt.

First Edition, first issue, of this classic tale for children. Though not mentioned on the title page, the book is profusely illustrated by Reginald Birch. The author is generally regarded as an American, but she was actually born and raised in England -- until in 1865, the family textile business ruined by the cotton shortage caused by the American Civil War, she and her family moved to a log cabin in Knoxville, Tennessee. This copy is in medium-brown cloth (others are in grey-green -- no priority). It is from the first printing, with the De Vinne Press logo on page [210] (the second printing is blank on that page, instead mentioning the printer J.J. Little on the copyright page). This is a very good-plus, perhaps near-fine copy (very minor wear at the extremities, slight cover soil, front endpaper cracked). Bookplate of Pittsburgh philanthropist Charles J. Rosenbloom (1898-1973). Blanck 2064; Grolier American 89; Peter Parley to Penrod 80; a Johnson High Spot ("The joys and woes of a poor little rich boy of the mauve decade; loathed by all the now-grown men whose mothers, influenced by the book, clothed them in plush suits and wide white collars"). Housed in a (worn) morocco-backed slipcase with inner chemise. THIS COPY IS SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR on the front flyleaf. FURTHERMORE, LOOSELY INSERTED IS AN AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED in full, regarding Little Lord Fauntleroy on the stage -- addressed to "Dear Mr Eduards" (beneath which the author inserted and underlined "so Fauntleroy"). Two pages, dated Feb. 3rd 1909 in Flushing NY (where she was overseeing, in nearby Plandome, the construction of her Italianate home with "The Secret Garden"). The letter reads "If you can make a contract for fifteen weeks with Martin & Emery with an advance of $500 I think it would be well to make it... I think they might pay more than $100 a week. What is your opinion? Fauntleroy is now playing in London & has been for some weeks I believe. Are there no prospects anywhere for the Lady of Quality?" This letter refers to two of the author's best-known novels -- and by location, three.