Description
First edition, first issue of Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Octavo, [two volumes], x, [13]-312pp; iv, [5]-322pp. Complete with six illustrated plates. Publisher’s original brown cloth, decoratively stamped in blind with gilt illustration on front covers. Title in gilt on spine. BAL binding B, no priority established. Lean to both text blocks, scattered foxing and toning throughout, chipping to spine ends. Front free endpapers removed from both volumes. Period ownership inscription in pencil in Volume I.
The first issue of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, with all first issue points, including stereotype notice on copyright pages and title pages lacking a printing statement. Additional points include “spilt” (later changed to “spiled”) in Volume I, page 42, “cathecism” (later changed to “catechism”) in Volume II, page 74. The third plate in Volume II was tipped in by a conservator. Housed in a quarter brown morocco clamshell case with title in gilt on spine.
(Patkus & Schlosser) (BAL 19343) (Sabin 92457) (PMM 332)
Uncle Tom’s Cabin was first published in serial form in the National Era newspaper from June 5, 1851 to April 1, 1852. This first issue in book form was published March 20, 1852.
