THE WOLF KING; OR LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD: AN OLD WOMAN'S TALE [IN] THE PORT FOLIO, VOL.II, NO.22 (JUNE 5TH, 1802)

Philadelphia: Printed for The Editor & Elizabeth Dickens, 1802. Important issue of this Federalist newspaper, published by Joseph Dennie and Philadelphia bookseller Asbury Dickens. Notable for the inclusion of 'The Wolf King; or Little Red Riding Hood,' a decidedly grotesque version of the traditional Little Red Riding Hood story told in 26 stanzas. First published in Terror Tales (London: W.Bulmer & Co., 1801) and once attributed to M.G. Lewis, the publication in The Port Folio marks its first appearance in the United States. In comparison to the Brothers Grimm version of 1812, this version lacks the redemptive appearance of the huntsman, and ends with Little Red Riding Hood meeting a gruesome end at the hands of the wolf. "His hungry teeth the wolf king gnash'd, His sparkling eyes with fury flash'd, He'd op'd his jaws all sprent with blood, And fell on small red riding hood. / He tore out bowels one and two, "Little maid, I will eat you!" But when he tore out three and four, The little maid she was no more!" Not the first appearance of Little Red Riding Hood in the United States (OCLC notes three pre-1802 American editions of the traditional version based on Perrault, along with two others), though certainly the first appearance of this particular iteration. Additionally, this issue contains obituaries for Martha Washington and Sarah Jay (wife of John Jay). Uncommon. Quarto (32cm); printed wrappers, disbound, but untrimmed; pp.[169]-176. Text is toned (though not brittle), mild wear to extremities, with scattered foxing; Very Good+.