London: Edward Arnold, 1899. Hardcover. True first edition of this popular satirical novel by Mary Cholmondeley for which she is best remembered today. "Red Pottage" is the story of adultery and a clergyman who destroys his sister's art. The first plot contained in this novel is that of Rachael West, an heiress and her love for a man trapped in an illicit affair who is doomed to die by his own hand. The second plot is about a gifted female writer who is unable to break away and start her own life free of her family (not unlike the author's own life).

Mary Cholmondeley (1859-1925) began writing seriously in her teens. She initially placed some short stories. Her first novel was "The Danvers Jewels" (1887), a detective story that won a small following. It was followed by other novels but "Red Pottage" was her first bestseller. Later works such as "Moth and Rust" (1902) and "Notwithstanding" (1913) were less successful. "The Lowest Rung" (1908) and "The Romance of his Life" (1921) were story collections - the latter, her final book, was dedicated to the essayist and critic Percy Lubbock. Lubbock later commemorated her in
"Mary Cholmondeley: A Sketch from Memory" (1928) [Wikipedia].

Bound in dark red cloth with gilt titling to spine and front cover. Light bumping and rubbing but very nice. Except for some browning to page edges the interior is clean and bright. Bookplate of collector Mark Samuels Lasner affixed to front pastedown. Very good condition. LIT/042221. Very Good.

Item #35100

Price: $125.00