MONSIEUR MOTTE
A.C. Armstrong & Son, 1888. Item #229
KING, Grace. MONSIEUR MOTTE. NY: A.C. Armstrong & Son, 1888. 12mo., mustard-colored cloth, stamped in gilt & black. First Edition. Author's first book. Signed inscription from King tipped to the front pastedown, from the last line of the book: "for in giving hearts, God assigned destinies." With the personal bookplate of Dorothy Nichols Bryant on the front pastedown. Nichols Bryant is related to Kate "Katrina" Nichols Trask, an author who founded the famous Yadoo artist colony in upstate New York. Also with a small bookseller's label for "Eyrich's Bookstore, 130 Canal St. New Orleans" on the same page. King once criticized George W. Cable's portrayal of Creole society to an editor of "Century" magazine, who then questioned why another local author did not write something better. King took up the challenge and wrote "Monsieur Motte," the first of four stories in this book. Although the story was rejected by "Century," author Charles Dudley Warner sold the story to the "New Princeton Review," where it appeared in the January 1886 issue. She added three more stories and published this, her first book, in 1888. Very Good (bright, little soil covers & minor wear spine tips). Several pencil annotations or textual corrections in text. Autograph material by King is uncommon. $475.00.
Price: $475.00