The Late George Apley

Franklin Center, PA: The Franklin Library, 1977. Hardcover. Illustrations by Jeffrey W. Cornell. Small 4to. Full deep blue calf with raised bands and elaborate gilt lettering and decorative rules and devices. 306pp. All edges gilt. Illustrations, grey moire silk endpapers, sewn-in grey satin page marker. Fine. Perfectly pristine first of this leatherbound edition, a reprint of Marquand's 1937 epistolary novel satirizing life in late 19th/early 20th century Boston -- winner of the 1938 Pulitzer Prize. This unusual copy bears autograph additions from two stars of the 1947 film version: Tipped to front pastedown is a 5" X 5" slip signed boldly in blue ballpoint by VANESSA BROWN (1928-99; portrays Agnes Willing, fiancée of George Apley's son), with red ink letterhead name at top (indecipherable, but clearly based on Brown's distinctive script). Tipped to facing front flyleaf is a heavy stock 5" X 3" card signed in blue ballpoint by RICHARD NEY (1916-2004; portrays George's son John), who dates it 16 November 1984 at upper right. Laid in is the perfect bookmark: Ney's original transmittal envelope. Book is housed in the Franklin Library's thin card stock slipcase with gold foil label.