DOLLY AND I: A STORY OF LITTLE FOLKS. Boston: Lee and Shepard, 1863 [i.e. 1862]. Small octavo, pp. [1-6] 7-96, flyleaves at front and rear, with decorative title page by John Andrew, plus six illustrations in the text, original decorated red cloth, front and rear panels stamped in blind, spine panel stamped in gold, yellow endpapers. First edition. A morally improving tale about the dangers of envy, involving doll mutilation. A relatively early book in this prolific writer's long career. "'Oliver Optic,' the author of one hundred and twenty-six boys' books and nearly eleven hundred boys' stories, was the most popular writer of juveniles who has yet appeared in America ... Adams' style was slovenly, and he has been condemned -- with measurable justice -- on that account. Yet he knew unerringly the sort of story that his youthful readers wanted, and his books were always clean. He had, moreover, a gift of fascinating narrative. His most popular work, THE BOAT CLUB (1955), ran into at least sixty editions." - Fullerton, pp. 5-6. Tiny gift inscription, "For Annie / Christmas 1862," penciled on front fly leaf. Cloth a little dusty, binding leaned, faint water stains on endpapers, scattered foxing and stains in text (some from old pressed flowers), a good copy of a scarce book. (#128433).
Price: $150.00
No statement of printing.