AN AMERICAN FOUR-IN-HAND IN BRITAIN 1883 1ST ED *INSCRIBED BY ANDREW CARNEGIE* For Sale

CARNEGIE, Andrew.

An American Four-in-Hand in Britain.

New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1883.

Octavo. Original publisher’s green cloth, gilt-lettered and decorated on upper cover and spine, with black floral banding and horseshoe vignette; plain green rear cover. Top edge plain. Original coated endpapers.

First edition, first printing, with author’s signed presentation inscription on the dedication leaf, reading:

“Found in the library of those who confer pleasure and honor by reading the works of their friends.”

New York July 28 / 83

The Author”

The presentation inscription accords with Andrew Carnegie’s known practice of inscribing copies on the dedication leaf with brief aphoristic text and a dated New York sign-off, and his use here of the impersonal signature “The Author,” rather than his full name, is consistent with documented variations in his presentation inscriptions.

Condition:

A very good copy. Cloth clean and bright overall, with light, even rubbing at extremities; minor wear to spine tips and corners; slight fraying at spine ends. Gilt on spine and upper cover clear and legible, with only modest dulling. Text block sound and square; hinges firm. Page edges evenly toned with light age-darkening, no staining. Endpapers clean, with only faint, unobtrusive dealer pencil notations on the front free endpaper; no bookplates, ownership inscriptions, stamps, or erased marks. Internally clean and unmarked throughout. A solid, attractive example of the publisher’s decorative binding.

This is a scarce presentation copy, signed and dated by Andrew Carnegie in the year of publication. Carnegie’s signed books are uncommon, and inscribed copies with extended aphoristic text are particularly desirable. The absence of institutional markings or later ownership inscriptions enhances the copy’s visual appeal and collectibility.