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COLLINS, Wilkie.
The Woman in White.
In three volumes.
First edition, published on or around 15 August 1860 (preceding the New York edition by two weeks), of the classic early mystery novel, Collins's "best-known novel" and his "greatest success" (ODNB). The advertisements in this copy are dated May 1, 1860, and list The Woman in White as due "shortly" with no price being recorded. Sadleir and Wolff both had copies with advertisements dated August, although Wolff notes that "a copy is known with the catalogue dated May 1".
3 volumes, octavo. Original violet-blue close bead-grain cloth, spines lettered and decorated in gilt, sides with decorative panel blocked in blind, cream endpapers, Bone & Son binder's ticket at rear of vol. 1. Custom blue cloth solander box, maroon morocco label. Erased ownership inscription to front pastedown in vol. I only, with pencilled inscription "Scarcroft - 1861" below; early bookplates of "R. E. H." (crest: a demi-lion rampant issuant); small blind-stamps to outer corners of front free endpapers of T. Harrison & Son, booksellers, 55 Briggate, Leeds. Spines and board edges faded to blue (as often), one corner bumped, gilt to spine of vol. 2 a little rubbed, a few small stains to boards, an excellent copy, internally clean and the cloth still bright and fresh overall.
