North America, United States, New York, ca. 1915 CE. BAL 11960; Sisson & Martens, p. 7. A wonderful first edition of "The Scarlet Plague," written by Jack London (American, 1879 to 1916) and recently noted for its story's similarity to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of only 5,105 copies printed, this codex was published by The MacMillan Company in 1915 and contains 181 pages with a frontispiece and other images illustrated by Gordon Grant (American, 1875 to 1962). The story takes place in 2073, 60 years after an uncontrollable epidemic known as the Red Death has depopulated the planet. James Smith, one of the few survivors, narrates the tale to his grandsons, telling how it first began, how it spread, and what life was like before. The book features its original burgundy cloth cover with scarlet and gilt lettering and decoration. Arguably one of London's best science fiction novels, "The Scarlet Plague" was first published as a short story in "London Magazine" in 1912. Size: 5.4" L x 1.1" W x 7.8" H (13.7 cm x 2.8 cm x 19.8 cm)

Born John Griffith Chaney, Jack London was an American novelist, journalist, and social activist who became one of the first American authors to gain international celebrity status. Considered an innovator of science fiction, London was a passionate advocate of unionization, workers' rights, and socialism. He is most famous for writing "The Call of the Wild" and "White Fang," both set in the Klondike Gold Rush which London joined at the age of 21 in 1897.

Provenance: private Santa Fe, New Mexico USA collection

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#171371

Near fine condition without dust jacket. Some light bending and fraying to peripheries of cover. Tearing with a few minor losses to edges of pages. Else clean and crisp with tight binding. Covered in protective plastic jacket with minor tears.