London: Smith, Elder, 1896. Hardcover. Mary Augusta Ward, née Arnold, (1851-1920) was a preeminent Victorian and Edwardian novelist who wrote under her married name as Mrs Humphry Ward. Her uncle was the poet Matthew Arnold. Ward's novels contained strong religious subject matter relevant to Victorian values. She was popular in the United States as well as Britain. Her book Lady Rose's Daughter was the best-selling novel in the United States in 1903, as was The Marriage of William Ashe in 1905. Ward's most popular novel was the religious "novel with a purpose" Robert Elsmere. Sir George Tressady was her 7th novel. It was originally published as a serial from 1895 to 1896. This is the FIRST TRADE EDITION and is a PRESENTATION COPY inscribed to the author's younger sister "E.M. Arnold with the writer's love." Ethel Margaret Arnold planned a stage career and had literary ambitions, later becoming known as a "New Woman Journalist." Her relationship with Ward was difficult, but she served as the model for Alice, the heroine's mentally unstable 'manic sister', in Eleanor (1900). This novel is somewhat of a sequel to Marcella as its heroine is a central character in this novel as the married Lady Maxwell. Tressady, the title character is a married baronet who falls in love with Marcella. Octasvo. Original green cloth boards with gilt title to spine and black title to front board. Joints are tender, spine is rubbed and worn, and corners are bumped. There are a few small dark spots to the rear board. There is minor browning to the endpapers, else the interior is clean. 571 pages plus ads. LIT/030306. Very Good.

Item #17406

Price: $150.00