{"product_id":"letters-of-thomas-j-wise-to-john-henry-wrenn-1st-edition","title":"Letters of Thomas J. Wise to John Henry Wrenn — 1st Edition","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eLetters of Thomas J. Wise to John Henry Wrenn, Thomas J. Wise \u0026amp; Fannie E. Ratchford — 1st Edition \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"1\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"1\" data-index-in-node=\"98\"\u003ePublication\u003c\/b\u003e: New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 1944\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"1\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"1\" data-index-in-node=\"143\"\u003eFormatting\u003c\/b\u003e: 8vo, pp. xiv, 591, xvi, [1].\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"2\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"2\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/b\u003e: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"3\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"3\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eCatalogue Note\u003c\/b\u003e: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"4\"\u003eEdited by Fannie E. Ratchford, the work provides a critical examination of the infamous literary forgery ring orchestrated by Thomas J. Wise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"4\"\u003eAs 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003eThomas 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Broadhursts Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55645724279123,"sku":"6578","price":32.2,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/1469\/6787\/files\/20261022_121832.jpg?v=1793191293","url":"https:\/\/broadhurstsbooks.com\/products\/letters-of-thomas-j-wise-to-john-henry-wrenn-1st-edition","provider":"Broadhursts Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}