Kay Nielsen. East of the Sun and West of the Moon. George H. Doran. ND. 1914. First U.S. edition. Bound in original black paper boards backed by lavender cloth to spine. Pictorial pastedown and gilt lettering to front. Twenty five full page color plates tipped in. Numerous B&W illustrations. Elaborate illustrated endpapers. Quarto. [9 3/4 x 7 1/2].

This is the true first edition by Doran of Nielsen's masterpiece East of the Sun and West of the Moon. It is often confused with a later Doran printing bound in yellow cloth. That later Doran printing was somewhat smaller: about 9 1/4". And the first printing is somewhat more lavish and has an extra plate as a pastedown to the front. It -- the first printing -- was from the U.K. sheets, published by Hodder & Stoughton.

A further note: it has long been noticed that there are two variants of the first printing. Both have Doran named at the bottom of the spine cloth. But one clearly is associated with Doran because Doran is listed as the publisher on the title page. That title page is a cancel title page (showing Doran as the publisher) that is mounted on a stub. This is a common technique for a publisher who receives sheets from another publisher, as was the case here. After receipt, Doran then cut the leaf, removing the Hodder and Stoughton title page, and pasted its cancel (identifying itself as the publisher) on the remaining stub. This copy is the variant that shows the original Hodder title page. It shows the original page leafs, as first printed. For that reason it is to be regarded this as the first state of the first American printing.

Paper boards have very good color. Some minor rubbing wear, but much less than is the norm: black paper boards have survived better than most copies. Gilt remains bright and attractive. Slight bowing to front board. Spine faded. Front pastedown has excellent color and in very good condition. No previous owner's marks. Binding firm. No foxing. No loose pages or signatures. All color plates present and in good order. Text block clean and bright. Appears unread and unused. Interior is near fine. A beautiful example.

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