Diana of the Crossways. A Novel
London: Chapman and Hall, 1885. From the Bart Auerbach Collection. Three volumes, 8vo. Original brown cloth, blocked in black, spines gilt-lettered; in a brown half-morocco slipcase. Slight bubbling to the covers of vol. 1 and front cover of vol. 3, a bit rubbed. Item #409452
First English edition, preceded by a New York piracy of the unfinished novel as it appeared in the 'Fortnightly Review' from September to December 1884. Meredith's novel deals with the financial and emotional problems of a talented woman novelist estranged from the husband of a disastrous early marriage. It is loosely based on the life of novelist Caroline Norton (1808-1877) and the ill-treatment she received for years at the hands of her estranged husband. A nice enough copy of a book rather difficult to find in decent condition. Collie XII; Sadleir 1691; not in Wolff.
Price: $1,250.00