LITTLE WOMEN by Alcott, Louisa May - 1869

Boston: Roberts Brothers, 1869. Near fine. First edition, first printing, of LITTLE WOMEN, together with the first edition, second state, of LITTLE WOMEN, PART SECOND, a major American children's book that introduced an important model for many 20th-century women authors. A semi-autobiographical tale about the struggles of four sisters growing up while their father fights in the Civil War, LITTLE WOMEN demonstrates the life-altering power of reading children's books. The tomboyish writer, Jo March, has especially resonated with readers, becoming an inspiration to a startling number of preeminent 20th-century authors: Ursula K. Le Guin, Barbara Kingsolver, Ann Petry, J.K. Rowling, Sonia Sanchez, Patti Smith, and more. The book's influence as a bildungsroman for young women around the world is matched by few other works. This copy contains the two parts we now call LITTLE WOMEN; the second part was written and published one year after the first; they were not issued together until 1880. A beautiful copy of a formative book for countless young readers. Two octavo volumes. 6.5'' x 4''. Early 20th-century full tan calf bound by Zaehnsdorf, board triple-ruled in gilt, raised bands, spines elaborately gilt-stamped, black goatskin spine labels. Marbled endpapers, top edges gilt. Each volume illustrated with frontispiece and three full-page plates. LITTLE WOMEN priced at $1.25 in rear ads of first part; notice of first part on page [4] of second part; 4 titles listed on page [364]. 341, [1], [6]; 359, [1], [5], [3] pages. Goatskin bookplates of Harold Murdock on front pastedowns. Light edgewear to extremities, text lightly toned (as usual): an unusually clean copy.