Rare First Printing of Anne of Green Gables, With ALS from the Author

L[ucy] M[aud] Montgomery; M A. and W. A. J. Claus, illus. ANNE OF GREEN GABLES. Boston: L. C. Page & Company, 1908. First edition; first printing, with "First Impression, April, 1908" on colophon. Hardcover. Ribbed and blind-stamped ecru cloth-covered boards with gilt lettering and a square illustration pasted on the upper board. 8vo; [i]-viii, [2], 429, [1]pp. plus 8 total pages of ads. With frontispiece with tissue guard and (7) additional full-page plates. Peter Parley to Penrod, p. 124.

This rare first printing is accompanied by a letter from the author, written on both sides of a 3 1/8 x 5 in. card, addressed from Leaskdale Manse in Ontario where the author lived from 1911-1926, dated Nov 13th, 1921, and signed by Montgomery using her married surname; in the original envelope. In the letter, Montgomery responds to two fans in Burlington, Vermont: "Dear Susan and Harriet: / I was / much pleased to get your letter / of avid appreciation. I am such / a busy person and get so many / letters that I can only answer / them briefly but I am always / glad when people who like / my books take the trouble to write and / tell me so. Have you read my newest / book "Rilla of Ingleside"? Jem does / grow up in that and I hope you / will like the story of his "Dog Monday." / Did you read "Rainbow Valley" too. / That is about Jen and his sisters / and brothers and friends. / Very sincerely yours / L. M. MacDonald."

7 3/4 x 5 1/2 in.

The letter was written to the consignor's mother and aunt when they were young girls. The twin sisters were avid readers and enjoyed Montgomery's books. After they read Anne of Green Gables, they wrote to the author to express how much they loved the novel. Montgomery wrote this kind note back to them.

The classic children's novel Anne of Green Gables was an immediate success when it was first published in 1908. It quickly became a bestseller, and its popularity led to numerous sequels and adaptations. The book went into second printing after only a few weeks and there were 38 impressions by 1914. (Rubio p. 127 and 128)

The book in good to very good condition; sturdy boards with some light scuffing, small stains, bumped corners, a couple of small dents at the edges, and rubbing to extremities; spine with wear to ends, some creasing and indentation, and slight separation at head; interior mostly lightly toned (slightly heavier on a few leaves), with hinge cracking, areas of damp staining at upper margin (heaviest at plates), and occasional foxing/spotting, light grime/residue, small stains, and edge wear including small tears; two leaves with a 1 1/2-in. tear impacting text on pgs. 93-96. The letter just about near fine with very light finger grime and age wear; the envelope lightly toned with a few spots of foxing, expected handling wear, and areas of residue (concentrated on back).