In the Cage
Chicago & New York: Herbert S. Stone, MDCCCXCVIII [1898]. First Edition. Decorative Cloth. First Printing of this novella centering on an unnamed London telegraphist, who deciphers clues to her clients's personal lives from the often cryptic telegrams they submit to her as she sits in the "cage" at the post office. Crown 8vo: [4],229,[3]pp. Publisher's dark olive-green linen-grain cloth, covers identically paneled in blind with lettering and florets in gilt; spine ruled, lettered, and ornamented in gilt; top edge gilt, others untrimmed; title page in black and orange. Book plates of essayist Robert Palfrey Utter to front paste-down and verso of front fly-leaf. (After varied experiences, including editorial work on the Youth’s Companion, reporting for the New York Evening Post, ranching in Mexico, and graduate study at Harvard, Utter became, in 1906, associate professor of English at Amherst, then, beginning in 1920, held the same position at the University of California.) An excellent copy, about Fine, with very slight spine lean. BAL 10630. Edel A51b. Kramer 159. Supino 51.1.0. Fine-. Item #BB1302
Bibliographers disagree as to priority of the American and English editions (see Kramer, p. 281). The telegraph girl's "powers of observation and communication appear to open up possibilities of love and escape from the cage of her working routine. But much of what she sees and hopes for turns out on trial to be nothing at all. Like many of James’s mature works, therefore, In the Cage is not so much about what happens as about how it is perceived and felt by his characters. This novella deliberately draws attention to the way in which language, especially the mechanised and commodified language of the telegraph, can distort and disrupt the human attempt to communicate." (Literary Encyclopedia) N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, with dust jackets carefully preserved in archival, removable mylar sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).
Price: $86.00