About this Item
First Edition ( ' Published May 1937 ', also SD ). This book won the 1938 'Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography.' The book for sale here is rare by virtue of the fact that it is not part of the Signed Limited Edition, copies of which are more common. I have found only one other signed copy ($80.00) that was not part of this limited edition. The author, Odell Shepard, inscribed the book on the first blank front end paper: 'Inscribed for Mrs. Edna G. Merriam by Odell Shepard, Christmas, 1938, for her son.' You can see the covers in the photos. They are in pretty nice condition. There is some light discoloration on the front and rear that can be seen and not seen depending on how the light hits the covers. I haven't taken the photos yet so I don't know what you'll be seeing. There is also a thin and shallow indent up a little ways from the front bottom edge. The two spine ends each have one tiny tear as well as some crinkling and bending. There is a small bump/crease at the top corner of the rear cover. The edges and corners have only a minimum of wear, nothing that stands out. The top page edge has its original light brown dye. The middle page edge has two or three small tan spots. They don't appear to have any impact on the actual pages. The top and bottom page edges look quite clean. The book is nicely square and the spine is straight. The binding of this 546 page book is excellent. The pages are nicely tight throughout as are the covers. There are absolutely no binding issues. The interior of the book is in very nice shape. I've scrolled through the pages a number of times and came upon only one instance of soiling, a small spot on a blank page. There is no foxing. There are 'five pen-and-ink drawings by Conrad G. Robillard', one is 'after an original sketch by Francis Graeter, Alcott's drawing master', and one is 'after an original pencil sketch by Bronson Alcott.' There is also a frontispiece which is described as an 'Original two-color woodcut by Percy Grassby.' All of the illustrations are in excellent condition. All of the pages are in excellent condition. I'm not seeing any creasing. There are no markings. There's a tiny blank sticker off the top edge of the rear cover. No other attachments. And the author's signed inscription is the only writing to be found anywhere in the book. 'Amos Bronson Alcott (1799-1888) was an American teacher, writer, philosopher, and reformer. As an educator, Alcott pioneered new ways of interacting with young students, focusing on a conversational style, and avoided traditional punishment. He hoped to perfect the human spirit and, to that end, advocated a plant-based diet. He was also an abolitionist and an advocate for women's rights. Born in Wolcott, Connecticut in 1799, Alcott had only minimal formal schooling before attempting a career as a traveling salesman. Worried about how the itinerant life might have a negative impact on his soul, he turned to teaching. His innovative methods, however, were controversial, and he rarely stayed in one place very long. His most well-known teaching position was at the Temple School in Boston. His experience there was turned into two books: Records of a School and Conversations with Children on the Gospels. Alcott became friends with Ralph Waldo Emerson and became a major figure in transcendentalism. His writings on behalf of that movement, however, are heavily criticized for being incoherent. Based on his ideas for human perfection, Alcott founded Fruitlands, a transcendentalist experiment in community living. The project failed after seven months. Alcott struggled financially for most of his life. Nevertheless, he continued focusing on educational projects and opened a new school at the end of his life in 1879. He died in 1888. Alcott married Abby May in 1830 and they eventually had four surviving children, all daughters. Their second was Louisa May, who fictionalized her experience with the family in her novel Little Women in 1868.'. Seller Inventory # 003963
Contact seller
Report this item
Bibliographic Details
Title: Pedlar's Progress: The Life Of Bronson ...
Publisher: Little, Brown And Company, Boston
Publication Date: 1937
Binding: Hardcover
Illustrator: Conrad G. Robillard
Condition: Very Good
Signed: Inscribed by Author(s)
Edition: 1st Edition
