The Third Violet

New York: D. Appleton, 1897. First Edition. Decorative Cloth. Near Fine+. First Printing of Crane's fourth book, widely dismissed on publication as a partly autobiographical potboiler but is now ranked among the author's unfairly forgotten works. Crown 8vo (183 x 118mm): [4],203,[1]pp. Publisher's tan buckram, spine and upper cover ornamented and lettered in red, black and gilt, top edge stained orange, others rough trimmed; ownership signature, dated 1897, on fly-leaf. Spine dust-soiled, topstain lightly faded, one corner bumped, but an excellent example, firmly bound, crisp and clean throughout. BAL 4078. Stallman 13. Williams & Starrett 13. Wright III, 1258. Sorrentino, "Stephen Crane's Struggle with Romance in The Third Violet" (American Literature, Vol. 70, No. 2 [June, 1998], pp. 265-291. Ford Maddox Ford called The Third Violet his favorite of Crane's work, and Crane's biographer, Paul Sorrentino, has called it a "self-conscious parody of the romance novel" and "Crane's thoughtful response" to the battle between realistic and romantic fiction of the late nineteenth century. Life among New York's bohemian set. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, with dust jackets carefully preserved in archival, removable mylar sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).