McTeague: A Story of San Francisco

New York: Doubleday & McClure, 1899, 1899. First edition. McElrath A3.1.a, first printing, state 3 (as usual); BAL 15031; Wright III, 3989. Spine a little faded; edges slightly worn; very good copy, enclosed in a clamshell case.. 8vo, original red cloth, white decorations and lettering. Four-page terminal supplement with an article about Norris entitled "A New American Author." One of the major and enduring of 19th century American novels, the realistic and gripping tale of the dentist McTeague (his first name is never revealed) and his miserly and difficult wife, Trina, who is the cause of his tragic downfall. A wonderful association copy: on the front free endpaper is the ownership signature of another important San Francisco author, Charles Warren Stoddard (1843-1909), dated Washington, May 1900. On the front paste-down is a note to Stoddard from Frank Norris in his stylized holograph: "To Charles Warren Stoddard: With the kindest regards, and in testimony of generous encouragement and good wishes, I send this, the greeting of a writer not yet old, to one who never will be. Very Truly and Sincerely / Frank Norris / New York June sixth 1900." Norris (1870-1902) died just two years later, at age 32. And three years later Stoddard published his famous novel of San Francisco: For the Pleasure of His Company, An Affair of the Misty City Thrice Told. Books inscribed by Frank Norris, presentation and association copies in particular, are rare. Clipped photographic portrait of Norris from a magazine tipped to the rear past-down, in all likelihood by Stoddard himself.