JAMES, HENRY | The Aspern Papers, Louisa Pallant, The Modern Warning. London and New York: Macmillan, 1888

The Property of a Gentleman
JAMES, HENRY
The Aspern Papers, Louisa Pallant, The Modern Warning. London and New York: Macmillan, 1888

Two volumes, 8vo (4 5/8 x 7/1/8 in.; 118 x 180 mm). Half-titles, publisher's advertisements to the end of Vol. II; minor foxing to endleaves. Original dark blue cloth, covers and spines with multiple gilt rules, spines gilt lettered, black coated endpapers; slightly cocked, minor rubbing to extremities of Vol. II. Each in custom quarter blue silk over marbled board clamshell cases.

First edition

The Aspern Papers originally appeared in The Atlantic Monthly from March to May 1888; Louisa Pallant was first featured in Harper's Magazine in February 1888; and The Modern Warning was initially published in Harper's in June 1888 under the title Two Countries.

Set in Venice, The Aspern Papers is based on the letters that Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote to Mary Shelley's stepsister, Claire Clairmont, who saved them until she died at the age of 80 (outliving almost all of Shelley's circle). The Aspern Papers has remained one of James's most popular tales, as it demonstrates his superior ability to engender suspense without neglecting or simplifying the development of his characters.

One of 650 sets printed

REFERENCES
Edel & Laurence A32a

Condition Report:
Condition as described in catalogue entry.