BEAUTIFUL PRESENTATION/ASSOCIATION FIRST EDITION OF MRS. WIGGS OF THE CABBAGE PATCH, INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR

HEGAN, Alice Caldwell. Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch. New York: Century, 1901. Small octavo, original pictorial cloth gilt, uncut. Housed in a custom chemise and slipcase. $1750.

First edition, presentation copy, inscribed by the author, “For my fellow-craftsman George Barr McCutcheon with the best wishes of Alice Hegan Rice.”

Mrs. Wigg’s, the heroine of Mrs. Hegan’s first book, proclaims that “every thing in the world comes right, if we jes’ wait long enough.” Best known for his comedy Brewster’s Millions, recipient George Barr McCutcheon published his first novel (Graustark) in the same year Mrs. Wiggs was published. Both authors’ works were selected by Merle Johnson for his High Spots of American Literature (99-100, 102). First issue, with gold sky illustration on front cover. Bookplate of recipient.

text block expertly recased with original endpapers retained, cloth and gilt clean and bright.. A superb inscribed association copy of an American children’s highspot.