Trials of the Human Heart - photo 1
Trials of the Human Heart - photo 2

Trials of the Human Heart

Lot 188
16.06.2023 10:00UTC -05:00
Classic
Sold
$ 10 080
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 967383
Lot 188 | Trials of the Human Heart
Estimate value
$ 3 000 – 5 000
ROWSON, Mrs [Susanna Haswell] (1762-1824). Trials of the Human Heart, a Novel. Philadelphia: printed for the author by Wrigley & Berriman and [vol 2:] by Mountford, Bioren, & Co., 1795.

Rare: the first edition of Rowson's 1795 epistolary novel, most recently recorded at auction in 1937 in Dr William C. Braislin's collection. The story of its longsuffering heroine Meriel Howard over the course of sixteen years includes attempted rape-incest at the hands of the man she believes to be her father, near prostitution to provide for her family, an unhappy marriage, and shipwreck. Ultimately, however, Meriel reunites with her lost love and true parents, finally achieving a happy marriage and home. In her preface, the author responds to William Cobbett's scornful criticisms of her work. She begins by noting the vulnerability of offering one's novel ("the offspring of my imagination") to the public and defends her work against the "incomprehensible" criticisms she has received: "It is with reluctance I find myself obliged to remark, that the literary world is infested with a kind of loathsome reptile. [...] One of these noisome reptiles, has lately crawled over the volumes, which I have had the temerity to submit to the public eye. I say crawled over them, because I am certain it has never penetrated beyond the title-page of any..." BAL 17002; Evans 29439; Sabin 73618; Wright 2256.

Four volumes bound in two, 12mo (167 x 100mm and 169 x 97mm). List of subscribers in first vol and title pages for all four vols (first volume lacking free endpapers, vol. 1 title page repaired, repaired tear to final leaf of vol.2; some general browning). Contemporary sheep, leather spine label (first vol rubbed, head of spine repaired, lacking spine label). Provenance: some early pen trials to endpapers and elsewhere in second vol.
Artist:Susanna Rowson (1762 - 1824)
Place of origin:USA
Auction house category:Printed books
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
20 Rockefeller Plaza
10020 New York
USA
Preview
16.06.2023
Phone +1 212 636 2000
Fax +1 212 636 4930
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase
Shipping Postal service
Courier service
pickup by yourself
Payment methods Wire Transfer
Business hoursBusiness hours
Mo 09:30 – 17:00   
Tu 09:30 – 17:00   
We 09:30 – 17:00   
Th 09:30 – 17:00   
Fr 09:30 – 17:00   
Sa closed
Su closed

More from Creator

Charlotte, the first American edition
Charlotte, the first American edition
$100
Reuben & Rachel
Reuben & Rachel
$100
Spelling Dictionary
Spelling Dictionary
$100
Mentoria
Mentoria
$100
"Orphan Nosegay Girl"
$100
The Inquisitor
The Inquisitor
$100
Every One Has His Fault
Every One Has His Fault
$100
An Abridgment of Universal Geography
An Abridgment of Universal Geography
$100

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.