Little Lord Fauntleroy.

New York: Charles Scribner's Sons,, 1886. With manuscript material First edition, first issue, with an autograph letter signed by the author tipped in to the first blank, responding to a question about the real-life inspiration for the characters of Cedric Errol (young Lord Fauntleroy), and Sara Crewe (later dramatized as A Little Princess). In the letter dated 12 February 1897, Burnett writes: "Sara Crewe was a very real little girl indeed and that though she has grown up to be a woman she still always tries to be a Princess and remember 'the Populace'. Cedric was real too and though his golden locks were cast-off years ago he is a dear fellow... and has, I think as many friends today as he had when he wore a lace collar and a sash". In Little Lord Fauntleroy, Burnett described Cedric's appearance: "What the Earl saw was a graceful, childish figure in a black velvet suit, with a lace collar, and with lovelocks waving about the handsome, manly little face, whose eyes met his with a look of innocent good-fellowship". Little Lord Fauntleroy was Burnett's first children's novel. It made her a household name on both sides of the Atlantic and popularised elaborately trimmed velvet page-boy suits. A Little Princess was first published under the title "Sara Crewe: or, What Happened at Miss Minchin's" in St. Nicholas Magazine, December 1887, and in book form the following year. Though she was born in England, Burnett (1849-1924) lived in the United States for most of her life; she frequently crossed the Atlantic and bought houses in both England and America. Quarto. Original brown cloth, spine and cover decorated in black, red, and gold, brown coated endpapers. With autograph letter on headed paper from 14 W 35th St. Engraved frontispiece and 11 plates, vignettes throughout. Spine cocked, ends a little frayed, corners slightly worn, minor toning to contents, free from marks, hinges sound. A very good copy in bright cloth. BAL 2064.