L. W. Currey, Inc.

Wister, Owen. THE VIRGINIAN: A HORSEMAN OF THE PLAINS. New York: The Macmillan Company. London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., 1902. Octavo, pp. [i-vi] vii-xiii [xiv] 1-504 [505-510: ads], flyleaves at front and rear, eight inserted plates with illustrations by Arthur I. Keller, publisher's pictorial tan cloth, front and spine panels stamped in red, black and gold, fore and bottom edges untrimmed. First edition. Signed and dated by Wister on the half title page under the printed title, "by / Owen Wister / Philadelphia, May 25, 1931." Wister, along with Zane Grey and Clarence Mulford, basically invented the modern western novel. His VIRGINIAN (1902) is generally regarded as the first cowboy novel. Dobie, p. 124. Reese Six Score 116. Smith, American Fiction 1901-125 W-789. Cloth worn at corner tips and frayed at lower spine end, some scuffing and soiling to cloth, contents a bit shaken, a well-read but good copy. Accompanied by an undated handwritten note signed by Wister to "Dear Sir" forwarding the book. Wister says he inscribes books only to those to whom he is giving the book, but he is "very glad to write my name in the volume." Additionally accompanied by an unrelated 2-page handwritten letter signed by Wister dated 6 February to a friend, "My dear White," about a forthcoming visit and other matters. In a custom quarter burgundy morocco slipcase (rubbed). Uncommon signed. (#179147).

Price: $2,500.00