Rise of Silas Lapham SIGNED by W. D. Howells to Bessie Potter Vannoh 1st Edition

  

Signed, Dated and Inscribed by W. Inscribed to Bessie Potter Vonnoh (in a follow up of a letter Howell wrote to her 3 days earlier that is now in the Smithsonian Museum). Bessie Potter Vonnoh's signature on title page. Please see pictures for more information and detail.

William Dean Howells /'ha?? Lz/; March 1, 1837 - May 11, 1920 was an American realist novelist, literary critic, and playwright, nicknamed "The Dean of American Letters". He was particularly known for his tenure as editor of The Atlantic Monthly, as well as for his own prolific writings, including the Christmas story "Christmas Every Day" and the novels The Rise of Silas Lapham and A Traveler from Altruria.

His 1885 novel The Rise of Silas Lapham became his best known work, describing the rise and fall of an American entrepreneur of the paint business. Bessie Potter Vonnoh (August 17, 1872 - March 8, 1955) was an American sculptor best known for her small bronzes, mostly of domestic scenes, and for her garden fountains. Her stated artistic objective, as she told an interviewer in 1925, was to look for beauty in the every-day world, to catch the joy and swing of modern American life. In 1899 she married impressionist painter Robert Vonnoh, at his home in Rockland Lake, New York and honeymooned in Paris.

At the 1900 Exposition Universelle, she was awarded a Bronze Medal for A Young Mother and exhibited another statuette, Girl Dancing. (See Wikipedia for much more information). This book was inscribed to Bessie Potter Vonnoh on December 20, 1900 in response to a letter Howells sent her on December 17, 1900 (3 days earlier).

This earlier letter of December 17th is in the Smithsonian Museum. In this letter he says he will send the "book back duly inscribed". Apparently she had sent the book over to him so he could inscribed it for her.

Presumably the book he writes about is the one offered for sale here as 3 days later she receives this dated book with the inscription. Her signature is on the title page as the owner of the book. The inscription is very unique as Howell rewrites the last sentence of Silas Lapham and puts it into quotes, signs and dates it.

She had earlier given him a figurine which he wrote many accolades such as "it is to be worshipped, thank you, thank you". Howell was considered Dean of American Letters and here is a scarce 1st edition uniquely signed to a noted artist. Volume is in very good condition for its age.

There are small nicks/tears at top/bottom of spine. Toning to book - inside and out. Cracks open to title page but fully attached. No writing in book other than inscription.

Any issues have been reflected in the pricing. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have.

I will be glad to take additional pictures. Boxed and packaged VERY carefully! This item is in the category "Books & Magazines\Antiquarian & Collectible".

The seller is "sasha4519" and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to United States.

1. Topic: Literature
2. Binding: Hardcover
3. Author: William Dean Howells
4. Subject: Literature & Fiction
5. Original/Facsimile: Original
6. Language: English
7. Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
8. Special Attributes: FIRST EDITION, SIGNED BY WILLIAM HOWELLS, SIGNED TO BESSIE POTTER VONNOH