1902 The Virginian, A Horseman of the Plains by Owen Wister. First edition, later run.

A handsome copy of the acknowledged first fictional "Western" novel; this is a first edition, but a later run ("reprinted June, twice, July, four time, August, 1902" - copyright page).

The Virginian (otherwise titled The Virginian: A Horseman of the Plains) is a 1902 novel by the American author Owen Wister (1860-1938), set in Wyoming Territory during the 1880s. It describes the life of a cowboy on a cattle ranch and is considered the first true fictional western ever written, aside from short stories and pulp dime novels. The Virginian paved the way for many more westerns by such authors as Zane Grey, Louis L'Amour and several others. The novel was adapted from several short stories published in Harper's Magazine and the Saturday Evening Post between Nov 1893 and May 1902.

Physical Attributes -

Measures approx. 19 x 13 x 3 cm. Leather spine and corners with cloth (ruled in gilt fillet) covering the boards (hardcover). Spine with five raised bands; four compartments with decorative gilt frame, and the title and author in gilt in two frames. Top edge gilt, TEG. Decorative endpapers. Illustrated. Pages - xiv, 504,three leaves of advertisement at rear.

Condition -

See pictures. Handsome book. A few shelf marks and rubs to the binding. Silk place-keeping ribbon is still connected at the headband; a good indication that the book hasn't been subject to much dust as it eats through silk. 1902 gift inscription on blank front endpaper. 1/2 title page has 1 cm tear at fore-edge. Title page has spot, as do the two leaves behind it. A little toning to pages. Occasional fox spot (singular). Occasional thumb along fore-edge.