"Eben Holden: A Tale of the North Country" by Irving Bacheller, published by Lothrop Publishing Company, Boston, First Edition, stated Fifth Printing, September 25, 1900 [the 1st printing was issued on July 2, 1900]. Popular at the time of its release, this book was among the top 10 bestselling books in the United States in both 1900 and 1901. For the February and March 1901 issues of The Bookman, it tied with Alice of Old Vincennes as the best-selling book in the United States. As a result, some modern references refer to the novel as the "first best-selling novel of the 20th century."

Hard boards, original red cloth with gold lettering and decorations on front board and spine [a little shelf wear and a little soiling]; stamp of John Griff Edwards is on the front endpaper and page# ix 5.1/4" x 7.3/4"; 432 pages, gilt page top; a few stains, very good condition.

The book is set in the North Country region of New York. This is the tale of Eben Holden, a homely hired hand, and the archetype of the wise old man. It chronicles his flight with young Bill from Vermont to Paradise Valley and his role in Bill's childhood and coming of age in the Brower household. It is also about the courtship of Bill and Hope Brower.

Provenance:

From the library of John Griff Edwards (1870-1912), he belonged to the old established settler families 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.2-8 days) ------------ $12.50
Canada: Priority (c.2-6 weeks) ---- $32.50
World: Priority (c.2-8 weeks) ----- $48.50