MENKEN, ADAH ISAACS

Infelicia

Philadelphia, J. B. Lippincott, 1888. 8vo, pp. [6], xiv, 7-126; frontispiece and 7 plates (1 by Church, 2 by Darley), plus a facsimile letter from Charles Dickens to whom the book is dedicated; letter marred by newspaper shadow, spine rather darkened and worn at extremities, a good copy in original pictorial gray cloth over brown cloth, stamped in red and gilt on upper cover and spine, t.e.g. The book was first published in 1868 by the actress and poet Menken (1835- 1868).

-- Rulon-Miller Books ABAA/ILAB

Book number: 29960

Keywords: American Literature Poetry Illustrated

[DICKENS, CHARLES. 1812 - 1870]. MENKEN, ADAH ISAACS [1835 - 1868].,

INFELICIA.

London - Paris - New York: , 1868. Sq 12mo. 5-1/2" x 4-1/4". 1st edition thus (Gimbel B295), i.e., with the lithographic plate reproducing Dicken's letter. This copy SIGNED by Dickens, in blue ink, on the original ffep, "Faithfully yours / Charles Dickens [fourish]". [5], v, 141, [1] pp. Binder's blanks at front & rear. Early 20th C. 3/4 green morocco binding with marbled paper boards & eps. TEG. Original publisher's green cloth binding bound-in at rear., Spine sunned to a mellow golden tan. A handsome VG+ copy. Frontis of Menken. Facsimile of Dickens' "letter", which is actually comprised of portions from 2 letters Dickens sent Menken [cf. LETTERS, v. 11]. Cuts as head- tailpieces.
¶ Dickens knew Menken through her 1864 performances at Astley's, during which time she was accepted by the London Bohemian crowd, holding 'literary salons' at her suite at the Westminster Palace Hotel. Her aspirations toward literature resulted in this modest volume of poetry, which she decicated to "Charles Dickens", a gesture the Inimitable accepted with 'great pleasure'. This particular copy comes from a prominent Detroit businessman's collection, gathered in the 1920s, and only now, 90 years later, coming onto the market.

-- Tavistock Books, ABAA

Book number: 33231.1

MENKEN,ADAH ISAACS

Infelicia. The Black Heritage Library Collection.

, Books for Libraries Press 1971, Reprint, Hardcover. Very good. Hardcover.125 pages.Ex-library.No dust jacket.Grey cloth.Text clean.
¶ Hardcover.125 pages.Ex-library.No dust jacket.Grey cloth.Text clean.ISBN:08 36989287.Reprinted from a copy in the Fisk University Library Negro Collection.Originally published 1868.

-- LincBook

Book number: 029180

Keywords: Black Studies American Literature