The Bostonians presentation copy - photo 1

The Bostonians presentation copy

Lot 87
27.06.2024 00:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
$ 9 450
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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ID 1236317
Lot 87 | The Bostonians presentation copy
Estimate value
$ 5 000 – 8 000
JAMES, Henry (1843-1916). The Bostonians. London: Macmillan and Co., 1886.

A presentation copy, with printed slip tipped-in at beginning of volume one ("From the Author"). A lovely copy of the first edition of James's biting satire. The Bostonians first appeared as a serial in The Century Magazine in 1885-86 and upon publication was not particularly well received. Writing about the novel in the Guardian, A.S. Byatt would comment: "The Bostonians is about idealism in a democracy still recovering from a civil war bitterly fought for social ideals. It is written, paradoxically, with a ferocious, precise, detailed—and wildly comic—realism that derives from Dickens and Balzac. In that paradox lies both its greatness and the edged tone that arouses instinctive dislike in many readers." It is the story of a love triangle of sorts between Basil Ransom, a political conservative from Mississippi; Olive Chancellor, Ransom's cousin and a Boston feminist; and Verena Tarrant, a young protégé in the women's movement. In its depiction of the cohabitating Olive and Verena, the novel became associated with the idea of a "Boston marriage," which was likely based on James's sister Alice (1848-1892) and her life partner, Katharine Loring. No other copies of The Bostonians bearing a printed presentation are recorded at auction. Edel & Laurence A28a.

Three volumes, octavo (190 x 120mm). Half-titles, 2 pp. of ads at rear of vol. 2 and 4 pp. of ads at rear of vol. 3. Original dark blue-green cloth, brown coated endpapers (cloth splitting along vol. 3 rear joint and head of vol. 1 spine; small repair to front joint of vol. 1; spines a little toned with slight lean, as usual, with some bumping at tips). Custom slipcase.
Artist:Henry James (1843 - 1916)
Place of origin:USA
Auction house category:Printed books
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
13.06.2024 – 27.06.2024
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
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Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase

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