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Infelicia, First Edition (2 results)
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INFELICIA
Published by [privately printed by H. L. Williams], London, Paris, NY, 1868
Seller: Second Life Books, Inc., Lanesborough, MA, U.S.A.
Association Member: ABAA ILAB SNEAB
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First Edition
8vo, pp. 141. Half title, portrait frontispiece, facsimilie of an original note by Charles Dickens, accepting the author's dedication of this book. Rebound in 3/4 morocco and marble boards, nicely tooled spine, original covers tipped in to the end papers. AEG, Later presentation on the end paper, a very good clean copy. Not in Eckel, Gimbel B295 Scarce. New Orleans born, Ms. Menken (1839?-1868) became a successful actress and migrated to Europe where she became an intimate of Dickens (the dedicatee of this book) Charles Reade, Swinburne, Dumas, etc. Menken's notorious love life insured her attraction on the stage. Known as the "naked lady" for her role in Mazeppa, she was an international star. Although her parentage remainsin doubt, she was probably the daughter of Auguste Theodore, a muatto registered as a "free man of color." [See Collected Black Women's Poetry, edited by Joan Sherman). This collection issued 8 days after her death, prints periodical appearances issued during her life. First Edition, 2nd issue (with the facsimile of Dickens' letter of 21st October 1867 on verso of Dedication leaf).
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[5], v, 141, [1] pp. Binder's blanks at front & rear. Frontis of Menken. Facsimile of Dickens' "letter", which is actually comprised of portions from 2 letters Dickens sent Menken [cf. LETTERS, v. 11]. Cuts as head- tailpieces. Sq 12mo. 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" Dickens knew Menken through her 1864 performances at Astley's, during which time she was accepted by the London Bohemian crowd, holding 'literary salons' at her suite at the Westminster Palace Hotel. Her aspirations toward literature resulted in this modest volume of poetry, which she decicated to "Charles Dickens", a gesture the Inimitable accepted with 'great pleasure'. This particular copy comes from a prominent Detroit businessman's collection, gathered in the 1920s, and only now, 100 years later, coming onto the market. Spine sunned to a mellow golden tan. A handsome VG+ copy. Early 20th C. 3/4 green morocco binding with marbled paper boards & eps. TEG. Original publisher's green cloth binding bound-in at rear 1st edition thus (Gimbel B295), i.e., with the lithographic plate reproducing Dicken's letter. This copy SIGNED by Dickens, in blue ink, on the original ffep, "Faithfully yours / Charles Dickens [flourish]". We posit it was signed by Dickens during his 1868 tour of America.
