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James, Henry Jr.. THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY [Vol II only]. , 1881.

Price: US$1250.00 + shipping

Description: In Three Volumes [sic]. London: Macmillan and Co., 1881. Original dark blue-green cloth lettered in gilt and stamped in black. First Edition of the middle volume of this three-decker novel, often considered James's greatest work. Edel & Laurence and Blanck (BAL) both indicate that all 750 copies of the first impression (dated 1881) of Vol II have blank leaf R8 at the end; Supino more recently says that the first impression lacks this leaf, and that the 1882 second impression retains it. In this Vol II (dated 1881, and in the primary binding), not only is R8 present, it is in fact still unopened along the fore-edge with leaf R7. This is a bright, near-fine copy (one bumped fore-corner, a barely-visible hairline crack at the top of the rear joint, minor cracking of the original dark brown endpapers); unlike most copies that surface today, there is NO evidence of a lending library label on the front cover. It is sad that this volume has gone missing from its mates -- especially as the complete three-decker, in this condition, would easily command a price of $25,000. Supino 16.1.0/16.2.0; E&L A16a; Blanck 10553.

Seller: Sumner & Stillman [ABAA], Yarmouth, ME, U.S.A.

James, Henry. The Portrait of a Lady.. Macmillan and Co, London, 1881.

Price: US$40000.00 + shipping

Description: First edition, first issue, one of only 750 copies of the last and most accomplished work of fiction during James’ apprentice years. Octavo, three volumes, original cloth. In near fine condition with volume one rebacked with original spine laid down. Housed in a custom half clamshell and chemises box. Rare and desirable, especially in this condition. The Portrait of a Lady was well received at its time of publication. James began with the simple idea of a young American woman confronting her destiny, and from this created the character of the protagonist, and a detailed plot. It presents, typically of James, a trans-Atlantic panorama, and an examination of the old affluent world of Europe and Britain colliding with the new harsher world of America. James examines the psychology of human consciousness and motivation. “The Portrait of a Lady is entirely successful in giving one the sense of having met somebody far too radiantly good for this world" (Rebecca West). It was adapted in 1996 by director Jane Campion, into film starring Nicole Kidman as Isabel, John Malkovich as Osmond, and Barbara Hershey as Madame Merle.

Seller: Raptis Rare Books, Palm Beach, FL, U.S.A.