Man and Wife
New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1870. First American edition. Hardcover. 8vo. 239, [1], 3 and [1] (pages of publisher's advertisements) pp. Original brown cloth with gold lettering on the spine. Illustrated with several in-text drawings. Andrew Gasson, "Man and Wife" (accessed 7/27/2020). Parrish 80. The first American trade edition. Collins' novel attacks Irish and Scottish marriage laws, and their lack of protection for a married woman's earnings and property rights. The book also contains an early example of a "locked room murder plot". In its day critics praised the novel for its critique of competitive athletics (as demonstrated by the character Geoffrey), but critics were not pleased with Collins' progressive attitude towards marriage reform and a married woman's autonomy. Very Good. Item #00009189
A Very Good copy with a bit of chipping to the foot of the spine and softening to the corners; leaves are clean showing only two tiny tears (p. 26 and 48 respectively).
Price: $375.00