A Chariot of Fire by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps (Ward) - 1910

New York and London: Harper and Brothers, 1910. First Edition Thus, First Printing Thus. NEAR FINE. William Hurd Lawrence. HATFIELD BOOKS AND MEMORABILIA, a FIVE STAR SELLER, presents A CHARIOT OF FIRE by Elizabeth Phelps Stuart, who was an early feminist American author and intellectual who challenged traditional Christian beliefs of the afterlife. She also challenged women's traditional roles in marriage and family, and advocated clothing reform for women ("Make a bonfire of the cruel (corsets) that have lorded over your thorax and abdomens for so many years...."). Considered a noveletta (45 pages, and 4 1/2" x 7"), A CHARIOT OF FIRE was published literally months before her January, 1911 death. A RARE FIND, this volume was never again printed until the centennial edition a few years ago. FIRST EDITION THUS, FIRST PRINTING THUS. There are 2 illustrations: one under the original tissue opposite the title page, and one facing page 40. On the title page, Harper's called out the fact that the little book was "illustrated", but they chose not to name the artist. Fortunately the second illustration is signed by William Hurd Lawrence, and one presumes that the first illustration is by the same artist. Lawrence not only illustrated a great many books around the turn of the Twentieth Century, but he was a sought-after painter whose works are sold at auction today. 4 1/2" x 7", 45 pages, no DJ. Overall the book is NEAR FINE. Pages (all of thick, stiff paper) = fine: slight tanning of all, but the several ffep's are notable for their lack of staining, else very tight, corners rounded as designed, very clear, tiny pen mars on first end paper, no other marks. Cover (medium green cloth boards with illustration from the story in yellow and dark green, and particulars in gold gilt) = very good: light bumping to corners and bottom edge, medium fold over to top and bottom of spine, 3/4" stain to lower left corner of front, moderate rubbing to back, else unusually tight, square and clear for a 105-year-old book