A Child-World

Riley, James Whitcomb

Published by Bowen-Merrill

About this Item

1897. 209pp, [14]pp ads. Small octavo original dark red cloth; spine decorated in gilt and top edges gilt. A fine, bright copy housed in a custom brown cloth chemise and matching slipcase. First American edition, first printing, with Bowen-Merrill imprint on the title page not followed by London imprint. This copy INSCRIBED BY RILEY on a tipped-in leaf at front: "FOR BRAM STOKER, ESQ WITH HEARTIEST GREETINGS, HIS OLD HOOSIER FRIEND - JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY. INDIANAPOLIS, IND., USA, OCT. 9: 1896" Stoker met Riley while travelling through the U.S. on a theatrical tour with English actor Sir Henry Irving, and the two writer struck up a correspondence. Riley's presentation inscription in this volume precedes by nearly a year the publication of Stoker's masterpiece, Dracula. A superb and evocative association copy. "A number of copies have an inserted leaf with the author's presentation inscription dated Oct. 9, 1896. According to Russo, p. 65, Riley prepared these leaves for insertion some time before the books were ready." BAL 16622 0.

Seller Inventory # 4617

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A Child-World
• Publisher: Bowen-Merrill
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Fine