By Shore and Sedge, Bret Harte — 1st Edition
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Publication: Boston, Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1885
Formatting: 16mo, pp. 260.
Condition Report: Very Good. The publisher's original brown cloth binding remains tight and structurally sound, exhibiting only minor rubbing and faint shelf-wear to the corners and spine ends. The gilt lettering on the front board and spine remains notably bright and unoxidised, while the blind-stamped decorative borders and central medallions are sharply defined. Internally, the text block is clean and largely free of foxing. The front inner hinge is slightly tender, displaying a neat, minor paper split at the gutter that exposes a small fraction of the underlying webbing, though this does not compromise the board's firm attachment.
Catalogue Note: This is a first edition of Bret Harte’s collection of California tales. The volume is presented in its original brown cloth binding, it was also issued simultaneously in a blue cloth variant, and features the ornate, blind-stamped borders and central medallions characteristic of late nineteenth-century American publisher's bindings.
Harte was one of the earliest literary figures to successfully capture the idiosyncratic character of the American West, and his first editions remain popular among collectors of Americana.
While standard trade editions of Harte's work were printed in healthy numbers, surviving nineteenth-century copies in such bright, unsunned condition are uncommon on the open market.
A classic collection from one of the pioneering voices of American Western literature, By Shore and Sedge features three of Bret Harte's quintessential stories: "An Apostle of the Tules", "Sarah Walker", and "A Ship of '49". Drawing heavily on his experiences in the burgeoning American West, Harte masterfully blends local colour, frontier ruggedness, and his signature wit to capture the spirit and characters of 19th-century California.
Book Condition: Very Good
Book Authors: Bret Harte
Book Publisher: Houghton, Mifflin and Company
Book Language: English
Narrative Type: Fiction
Genre: Anthologies & Short Stories
Book edition: First Edition
Signed: No
Book Pages: 260
Book Publication Year: 1885
Book Publication Date:
Book Binding: Hardcover
Illustrator: N/A
Book Series: N/A
Country/region of manufacture: Boston, United States
Book Dimensions:
Book Condition Guide
| Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| New | A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage. |
| As New | The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years. |
| Fine | The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked. |
| Near Fine | The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition. |
| Very Good | The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present. |
| Good | A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy. |
| Fair | A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity. |
| Poor | A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance. |
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