Letters of Thomas J. Wise to John Henry Wrenn — 1st Edition

£32.20

Letters of Thomas J. Wise to John Henry Wrenn — 1st Edition

Name: Letters of Thomas J. Wise to John Henry Wrenn — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6578
Price: 32.20 GBP
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Letters of Thomas J. Wise to John Henry Wrenn, Thomas J. Wise & Fannie E. Ratchford — 1st Edition

Publication: New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 1944

Formatting: 8vo, pp. xiv, 591, xvi, [1].

Condition Report: Very Good. The publisher's original black cloth binding remains square and firm, featuring bright gilt titling on the spine and a crisp gilt owl device on the front board. The extremities show minor shelf-wear, with slight bumping and rubbing to the spine head and tail, alongside a few faint surface scratches and scuffs to the rear board. The top edge retains its plum stain, though slightly mellowed, while the untrimmed fore-edge and bottom edge display typical, mild age-toning. Internally, the volume is clean, bright, and well-preserved, with the portrait frontispiece fully intact. Lacks the original dust jacket.

Catalogue Note: This first edition is firmly established by the statement "FIRST EDITION" on the copyright page, alongside the matching 1944 date on both the title and copyright pages. The binding bears the classic Alfred A. Knopf Borzoi device blind-stamped to the lower rear board. Reflecting the era of its publication, the copyright page explicitly notes that the volume was produced in full compliance with wartime government regulations concerning the conservation of paper, metal, and other essential materials.

Edited by Fannie E. Ratchford, the work provides a critical examination of the infamous literary forgery ring orchestrated by Thomas J. Wise.

As an academic reference work, it is relatively common on the open market today, though well-preserved first editions in the original publisher's cloth remain desirable for collectors of bibliographical history, typography, and literary forgery.

Thomas J. Wise was once revered as one of the preeminent bookmen and bibliographers of his age, only to be later unmasked as a prolific literary forger and book thief. This fascinating volume compiles Wise's extensive letters to his primary patron and client, the Chicago businessman John Henry Wrenn. Through these meticulously edited letters, Fannie E. Ratchford provides a gripping inquiry into the deception that flooded the Wrenn Library with counterfeit Victorian pamphlets. An essential and captivating resource for bibliophiles, shedding light on one of the greatest scandals in the history of book collecting.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Thomas J. Wise; Fannie E. Ratchford

Book Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: History

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 591

Book Publication Year: 1944

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: New York, United States

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

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.