"The Gentleman From Indiana" by Booth Tarkington, published by Doubleday McClure, New York. '1899' is imprinted on the title page and copyright. First edition of the author's first published book, secondary binding, the second state of the printing with corrected errors on pages 245, 291 and 342.

Hard boards, original green cloth, gilt lettering, decorations on the front board and spine; glue reinforced hinges at the front board [see photo]; stamp of John Griff Edwards in front endpaper and 1st chapter page; 5.1/2" x 8"; 384 pages, printed on high quality laid paper, damaged bottom corner of the title page, slightly creased the last page, some foxing and soiling, good+ condition.

Booth Tarkington was an American novelist and dramatist from Indiana best known for his Pulitzer Prize winning novels Alice Adams and The Magnificent Ambersons, which also became a film by Orson Welles. Tarkington chronicled Midwestern American life, and the changes wrought by the economic boom times following the Civil War and up to World War I. The Gentleman from Indiana recounts the adventures of John Harkness, who graduates from Princeton University and takes over the ownership of a local newspaper in Plattville, Indiana. In the course of his efforts, he rejuvenates the paper, upsets the plans of local political tricksters, and helps bring to justice the White Caps, a gang from a neighboring community. But his efforts have gained him enemies who will use injury or death to stop him, and he despairs of the woman he loves returning his affections. Will justice prevail and love triumph?

Provenance:

From the library of John Griff Edwards, Portsmouth, Virginia.

John Griff Edwards (1870-1912) belonged to the old established settler family in Virginia. His father and uncles served in the Army of Northern Virginia during the Civil War. The grandfather, LeRoy Griffin Edwards (1804-1866), was the president of the Confederate Convention of 1864. John's wife, Mrs. J. Griff Edwards founded and led the first of the United Confederate Choirs of America (1907). After that she was elected the Commander in Chief of the United Confederate Choirs.” In 1911 she published a volume titled "Echoes From Dixie A Collection of Songs Used in the South."

US: Priority (c.2-4 days) ------------ $12.50
Canada: 1st Class (c.2-6 weeks) ----- $27.50
World: 1st Class (c.2-8 weeks) ------ $35.50