A first edition early printing of Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938), "From Death to Morning" (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1935), with the front loose endpaper signed and inscribed by Wolfe's sister Mabel Wheaton, and Wolfe's mother, Julia Wolfe, ca. February 9, 1941. Lacking the "A" on the copyright page, but with the Scribner's seal. The printing error on p. 59, line 21 ("rer" instead of "her") is present, indicating a first state or issue. In burgundy cloth boards with gilt lettering on the spine and front cover, indicating first binding. With a remarkably well-preserved original dust jacket showing the price stamp of $2.50 on the left flap, unclipped. Expected wear including light, mostly even toning within. Minor rubbing to the bottom hardcover edges, corners, and spine extreme. Naturally occurring gentle breaks in the binding. The dust jacket shows expected wear including wrinkling, chips, and minor loss, else very good, being protected by Mylar. 5.375" x 7.5" x 1.5." 12mo. 304pp. Provenance included.

The front loose endpaper of this volume was signed and inscribed by two of Thomas Wolfe's closest family members, mother Julia Elizabeth Westall Wolfe (1860-1945) and older sister Mabel Elizabeth Wolfe Wheaton (1890-1958), the latter who traveled to Seattle to care for Wolfe when he was hospitalized for pneumonia in the summer of 1938. Julia and Mabel dedicated this volume to one Gerald Smith about two and a half years after Wolfe's untimely death of miliary tuberculosis at the age of 38.

Signed and inscribed in the hand of Mabel Wheaton: "Inscribed / for / Gerald Smith / Best Wishes Always / Mabel Wolfe Wheaton / Sister of / Thomas Wolfe."

Signed and inscribed in the hand of Julia Wolfe: "Feb. 9th 1941 / For / Gerald Smith - / look to the spring time [?] and stay always on the morning side of life is the sincere wish of Julia E. Wolfe. / age 81 yrs. / Mother of Tom."

Provenance: The signed first edition book is also accompanied by a vintage business card of "Mrs. Julia E. Wolfe," advertising her "Old Kentucky Home," a boarding house in Asheville, North Carolina. Wolfe alluded to his mother's boarding house in his first novel, "Look Homeward, Angel" (1929).

Thomas Wolfe was heralded by contemporaries during his lifetime as one of the most talented American writers of the early twentieth century. His short stories, novellas, and novels inspired the Beatniks and modern American authors. "From Death to Morning" contained one of Wolfe's more inventive short stories, "Only the Dead Know Brooklyn" (p. 91-98), which is written entirely in Brooklyn dialect.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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