We offer a group of nine of Stephen Crane’s "firsts," augmenting our separate offering of the first edition, first issue of The Red Badge of Courage. Seven of the nine come from the collection formed by Claude Smith in the middle decades of the last century. Claude, who came to sign only his first name, started as an animator with Walt Disney and went on to fame as a cartoonist, published in the New Yorker, Playboy and Fortune, among others. He was an astute and discriminating collector who invariably acquired copies in excellent original condition.

Stephen Crane pioneered literary naturalism, living “on location” while researching his works. Also known for his war journalism, he traveled extensively while reporting in combat areas. Crane is considered a master of the short story.

We will provide detailed descriptions and photographs upon request.

This collection of nine first editions includes:

George’s Mother
New York: Edward Arnold, 1896.

First edition. Duodecimo (pages 17.3 x 11.2 cm). Original tan cloth, titled and decorated in black, all edges trimmed. Printed by Trow Directory on laid paper with very light tan coloration. Collates [1 l.], 177 + [1] pp., 8 pp. advertisements, [2 ll.]. Negligible tiny cover stains and edgewear, top edges dust-stained, lacking dust jacket, else fine. Williams & Starrett 6; Blanck 4073. Claude’s gilt bookplate on front pastedown.

George’s Mother, a companion to Maggie, explores life among the poor of turn-of-the century New York City.

Maggie
New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1896.

First revised edition (second after the 1893 pseudonymous edition), first state. Duodecimo (pages 18.4 x 12.4 cm). Original tan cloth with gilt, red and black decoration, top edges stained yellow, others rough cut. Title printed with eight lines of Gothic type in upper and lower case. Collates [2 ll.], vi pp., pp. 1 – 158, 12 pp. advertisements, [2 ll.]. Spine slightly darkened, cloth lightly soiled, covers slightly bowed, lacking dust jacket, else very good. Williams & Starrett 8; Blanck 4075.

Maggie
London: William Heinemann, 1896.

First English revised edition. Duodecimo (pages 16.5 x 11.2 cm). Original blue cloth, top edges gilt, others uncut. Printed on laid paper. Collates [1 l.], vii + [1] + 148 pp., 2 ll. ads, [1 l.]. Spine lightly faded, outer corners lightly bumped, lacking original dust jacket (wrapped in Claude’s protective paper jacket), offsetting to endpapers, overall very good. Williams & Starrett 9; see also Blanck 4075. Claude’s penciled signature on front pastedown.

Crane’s first novel explores life among the poor in New York City. It was originally published in 1893 under the name “Johnston Smith,” printed at his own expense.

The Third Violet
New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1897.

First edition. Octavo (pages 18.3 x 12.5 cm). Original tan cloth with gilt, red and black decoration, top edges stained yellow, others uncut. Collates [2 ll.], 2 ll., 203 + [1] pp., [2 ll.]. Spine almost imperceptibly darkened, lacking dust jacket, else fine condition overall. Williams & Starrett 13; Blanck 4078. Claude’s gilt bookplate on front pastedown.

A short novel about a young artist, set in New York. Crane’s attempt at the more placid style of domestic realism.

Active Service
New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1899.

First edition. Octavo (pages 18.7 x 12.8 cm). Original green cloth, all edges trimmed. Printed on laid paper. Collates [1 l.], 3 ll., 345 + [1] pp., [1 l.]. Cloth lightly stained, front of spine lightly rubbed, lacking dust jacket, very good overall. Williams & Starrett 21; Blanck 4084. Claude’s gilt bookplate on front pastedown.

A novel set during the Greco-Turkish war.

Whilomville Stories
New York: Harper & Brothers, 1900.

First edition. Octavo (pages 19.0 x 12.7 cm). Frontispiece portrait, 33 illustrations by Peter Newell. Original green cloth, stamped with tree motif in black and pink and lettered in gilt on upper cover and spine. Collates [1 l.], vi pp., 1 l., 199 + [1] pp., [1 l.], plus 34 ll. ill. Inconspicuous ink marks on spine and lower cover, slight edgewear top and bottom of spine, plate facing p. 124 and following page loose at top, very good overall, the covers very bright and near fine. Williams & Starrett 19; Blanck 4089.

Whilomville Stories
London: Harper & Brothers, 1900.

First English edition. Octavo (pages 19.2 x 13.2 cm). Frontispiece portrait, 33 illustrations by Peter Newell. Original blue cloth, top edges stained yellow (?), others uncut. Printed on laid paper. Collates [1 l.], vi pp., 1 l., 199 + [1] pp., [1 l.], plus 34 ll. ill. Very slight edgewear and bumping, lacking dust jacket, a few slight edge tears in margin, overall very good. Williams & Starrett 27; see also Blanck 4089. Claude’s gilt bookplate on front pastedown.

Thirteen short stories, originally published in Harper’s New Monthly Magazine.

Wounds in the Rain
New York: Frederick A Stokes Company, 1900.

First edition. Duodecimo (pages 18.7 x 12.7 cm). Original green cloth titled and decorated in gilt on front cover and spine, top edges gilt, others trimmed. Printed on laid paper. Collates [1 l.], 4 ll., 347 + [1] pp., [1 l.]. Slight edgewear on cloth, tiny white spot upper cover, lacking dust jacket, about 1 inch top corner of rear free endpaper missing, very good overall. Williams & Starrett 28; Blanck 4091. Claude’s gilt bookplate and pencil signature on front pastedown.

Wounds in the Rain
London: Methuen & Co., 1900.

First English edition. Octavo (pages 19.2 x 12.5 cm). Original rose cloth titled in gilt on front cover and spine, top edges stained, others uncut. Printed on laid paper. Collates [1 l.], 4 ll., 347 + [1] pp., 47 + [1] pp. advertisements (dated August 1900), [1 l.]. Spine slightly faded, slight edgewear and staining, lacking dust jacket, very good overall. Williams & Starrett 29; Blanck 4090. Claude’s pencil signature on front pastedown, ownership stamp of F.C. Nursey on half-title.

Sketches and memories of Crane’s travels during the Spanish American war, published posthumously.

Price Available on Request
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