Description
First edition, first printing of Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery, published in 1908.
Octavo, viii, [2], 429pp, [1], 8pp ads. Publisher’s ribbed olive cloth, ruled in blind, title stamped in gilt on spine, mounted illustration on cover. The first issue, with “First Impression, April, 1908” on copyright page. New endpapers, with “Harry W. Schwartz Books” label on rear paste down. Solid text block, free of marks or notations. Faint soiling to half-title. Light rubbing to spine, as expected. Complete with frontispiece and seven illustrated plates by May and William Claus. Tape repair to edge of frontispiece portrait, short closed tear to plate 5 along edge. Includes the publisher’s eight page catalogue at the rear. Lacking the publisher’s dust jacket.
(Peter Parley to Penrod, p. 124) A scarce work.
The first printing of Anne of Green Gables was released on June 13, 1908 and became a bestseller within weeks. The second printing was announced two-weeks after being registered with the copyright office. Over 19,000 copies sold in the first five months. (Rubio, p. 127)
