WILDER, Thornton (1897-1975). The Bridge of San Luis Rey. London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1927.

8vo. (A few small stains.) Original blue cloth gilt (spine slightly leaned, some light staining or wear); in unrestored unclipped dust jacket (some chipping and minor losses, toning to extremities). Provenance: "Therese" (presentation inscription, see below).

FIRST ENGLISH EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY, INSCRIBED BY WILDER IN THE MONTH OF PUBLICATION: "Pour Thérese de Samuele Lawrenceville Novembre 1927" and with a 4-measure unidentified musical quotation. Wilder signed as "Samuele," who is considered to be his alter ego in his semi-autobiographical The Cabal (see previous lot).

Wilder taught French and was the Assistant Master of Davis House at Lawrenceville School, Lawrenceville, New Jersey, from 1925-1927, and presumably inscribed the present copy to a colleague or student. The English trade edition of The Bridge of San Luis Rey preceded the first American trade edition by several days. Wilder received a Pulitzer Prize for the novel.

[Laid in:] WILDER. Autograph letter signed ("Thorny"), to Margaret [Rollins]. Douglas, Arizona, 8 October 1963. 1 1/4 pages, written on two sides. Wilder writes to share his regrets to have missed a ceremony in honor of book designer and Yale University Press printer Carl Rollins.

Fine Literature from the Collection of Richard C. McKenzie

WILDER, Thornton (1897-1975). The Bridge of San Luis Rey. London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1927.