Description
Inscribed copy of Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls.
Octavo, 212pp, [4]. Red brick cloth, title stamped on spine. Lacking “first edition” statement on copyright page. Rubbing to tips of the boards, bookplate removed from front pastedown. Notable toning to endpapers, text block solid. Previous ownership inscription below signature on the front free endpaper. In the publisher’s second state dust jacket, $4.95 on front flap, ISBN number on the rear flap, shallow chips and some loss at the spine, rear hinge reinforced with archival tissue repairs, a presentable example.
Inscribed on the front free endpaper: “12-6-73 – This story is part of my life. I hope you enjoy it. Sincerely- Wilson Rawls.”
Where the Red Fern Grows first appeared as a three-part series in The Saturday Evening Post in 1961, titled “The Hounds of Youth.” This first printing in book form also appeared in 1961, where it received positive reviews, but sales were sluggish. The book was published by Doubleday for an initial retail price of $3.95. A second printing appeared in 1971 with a price of $4.95 on the dust jacket and identical publication information on the copyright page, but without the “first edition” statement.
