Edith Wharton - The Children - 1928

Edith Wharton - The Children - First Edition, First State - 1928
Description
Scarce first edition, first printing, confirmed first state of Edith Wharton's sophisticated social satire The Children, published in 1928 by D. Appleton and Company, New York.
Edition Details:
• True first edition, first printing
• Confirmed first state with all correct points present:
- (I) on last page
- Page 122, line 23: 'you . . . my'
- Page 135, line 14: "moters" (the distinctive first state misprint, later corrected to "motors")
• Published by D. Appleton and Company, New York, 1928
• Date: MCMXXVIII (1928) on title page
Binding & Condition:
• Publisher's black cloth boards with attractive gilt titles and decorative design
• Condition: Very Good
• Cover: Mild shelf wear, all edges lightly rubbed
• Lower right corner of back cover shows wear
• Spine ends slightly softened
• Pages: Clean and unmarked throughout, very slight age toning
• Binding: Tight and square, hinges just starting (no splits or breaks)
• No dust jacket
A very nice, solid copy with honest wear consistent with age and use.

About the Book:
A bestseller upon publication, The Children is one of Wharton's most entertaining novels. The story follows Martin Boyne, a solitary 46-year-old bachelor whose ordered life is disrupted when he encounters seven precocious stepbrothers and stepsisters aboard an Atlantic crossing. The Wheater children, exhausted from being shuttled between their divorcing and remarrying parents, draw Boyne into their complicated family dynamics with both comic and poignant consequences.

Written with Wharton's characteristic wit and psychological insight, the novel explores themes of innocence, responsibility, and the collision between adult desires and childhood needs. Contemporary critics praised it as a return to her best satirical form.

About Edith Wharton:
Edith Wharton (1862-1937) was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (The Age of Innocence, 1921). A masterful chronicler of American upper-class society, she authored over 40 books including novels, short stories, and works on architecture and design. The Children, published during her mature period, showcases the sharp social observation and elegant prose that defined her distinguished career.

Collectability & Significance:
First editions of Wharton's works remain highly sought after by collectors of American literature. First state copies are considerably scarcer than later states, as the publisher quickly corrected the "moters" misprint in subsequent printings. The presence of all three first state points makes this copy particularly desirable for serious Wharton collectors.
The distinctive black boards with gilt decoration make this an attractive addition to any collection, and the solid condition with tight binding ensures this book will continue to be enjoyed for generations.

Condition: Very Good (no dust jacket, as typical)
Rarity: Scarce in confirmed first state with all points
Perfect for: Collectors of Edith Wharton, American literature first editions, or 1920s fiction