1898 First Edition Shadows on the Wall

This 1898 first edition presents with an unusually strong and well-preserved interior. All thirteen original photo-lithographic glossy plates are present, bright, and exceptionally clean—retaining their original sheen with no foxing, toning, or surface wear. The sewn signatures remain intact, and the text block is firmly bound with no loose or detached leaves. Pages are clean throughout with only minimal age toning and no tears or markings. The original gilt-stamped gray cloth boards are intact, with the gilt title and central fleur-de-lis motif still clearly legible. The exterior shows mild, age-appropriate surface discoloration and light rubbing, primarily to the front board, along with slight corner wear typical for the period. The front board has a small amount of play at the hinge, though the internal sewing remains solid and the structural integrity of the text block is unaffected. A period March 1899 Nashville, Tennessee ownership inscription appears on the front flyleaf, providing contemporaneous provenance without impacting the readability or condition of the text. Overall, this is a well-preserved and internally superior example of the 1898 Stolz first edition—distinguished most notably by its exceptionally clean glossy plates and intact sewing, features rarely encountered together in surviving copies. …