The Marble Faun [Two volumes, first issue with all points present]

First printing and first issue with all points present: Vol. 1 -- "Preface" before "Contents," 16 pp. ads at rear dated Februay 1860, signed "1*" on page ix. Vol. 2 -- no conclusion, signed "4*" on page 197. Original brown cloth with both volumes heavily rubbed at the head and tail of the spine, and with significant rubbing to the other extremities. The gilt lettering on the spine is dulled. Both volumes are dusty and Volume 1 shows evidence of damp or moisture especially to the rear of the cover. Still both volumes are quite sound. Beautifully handwritten on the first blank page of volume 2 is an inscription from "J.S.C." dated May 17th, 1905 noting that "This is a copy of the first edition of this work. On its publication much dissatisfaction was expressed at the mysterious way in which the story terminated. Mr. Hawthorne took these complaints in good humor and in the next edition added a conclusion which left the story as much a mystery as before.".