B A U M A N R A R E B O O K S J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 5 38 * * * EXCEPTIONALLY RARE PRE-PUBLICATION COPY OF THE FRUIT OF THE TREE, INSCRIBED BY EDITH WARTON IN THE YEAR OF PUBLICATION TO HER CLOSE FRIEND AND FELLOW NOVELIST ROBERT GRANT 38. WHARTON, Edith. The Fruit of the Tree. New York, 1907. Octavo, original red cloth, custom cloth clamshell box. $8500 Rare pre-publication copy of Wharton’s classic novel about the tragic results of unregulated industry and the need for labor reform, inscribed to Wharton’s close friend and fellow author in the year of publication: “Robert Grant from Edith Wharton. Oct. 1907.” In this novel, Wharton examines such controversial topics as euthanasia, treatment of factory workers, divorce, and drug addiction. It is “an interesting and rewarding book in many ways—especially in its depiction of the heroine, Justine Brent, and her marriage to a weak man” (Modern American Women Writers, 389). This pre-publication copy was produced without the frontispiece, list of illustrations, and illustration attribution on the title page, but contains one of the three first edition illustrations and has a gilt top edge. First printing, first (American) issue, in publisher’s binding B, no priority given. Without scarce original dust jacket. Garrison A14.I.a1. This copy was inscribed to Robert Grant, a bestselling author. Grant wrote works including Jack Hall, or, The School Days of an American Boy, Unleavened Bread, and The Chippendales. Grant’s writing frequently touched on social satire, marriage, and divorce—undoubtedly areas of interest for Wharton. Wharton was a fan of Unleavened Bread and wrote Grant an enthusiastic letter remarking that she had “come across so many good things that I am impatient to express my admiration of them.” Robert Grant and Wharton’s husband, Teddy, were classmates as young boys and again at Harvard. Grant distinguished himself from Teddy Wharton’s other friends by also developing a friendship with his strikingly intelligent wife. Wharton and Grant’s association stretched to their book production, as they shared Scribner’s as a publisher and traded books. At the time this book was published, Wharton sent Grant The Fruit of the Tree; Grant sent Wharton The Chippendales in return. Grant also assisted Wharton personally, offering Edith sympathy as her marriage was falling apart. Upon Wharton’s death in 1937, Robert Grant wrote a memorial of her for the Academy of Arts and Letters. Interior generally fine, tiny hole to rear spine joint, and mild toning to spine. A nearly fine copy, with most exceptional provenance.
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