The first American edition of Love Poems and Others was published, from the Duckworth sheets, by Mitchell Kennerley, New York, 1913.
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SONS AND LOVERS
Published May 1913
Sons and Lovers / By / D. H. Lawrence / Author of / “Love Poems,” “The White Peacock,” “The Trespasser” / (publishers’ device) / London: Duckworth & Co. / Henrietta Street, Covent Garden / 1913
Collation:—pp. viii + 424, consisting of half-title (verso blank), pp. (i, ii); title-page, as above (with All rights reserved in center of verso), pp. (iii, iv); dedication, To / Edward Garnett (verso blank), pp. (v, vi); table of Contents (verso blank), pp. vii, (viii); text, pp. (1)-423. Printers’ imprint, beneath thin line, at foot of p. 423 as follows: Billing and Sons, Ltd., Printers, Guildford P. (424) blank. At end of volume there is 20-page, numbered but undated, catalogue of A Selection from / Duckworth & Co.’s / List of Publications
Crown 8vo, 7¼ × 4¾; issued in dull dark blue cloth; front cover has two-line border in blind, and is lettered and ornamented in gilt as follows: Sons and Lovers / (three dots) D. H. Lawrence (three dots). Backbone ornamented and lettered across in gilt: (two lines at top) / Sons / and / Lovers / D. H. / Lawrence / Duckworth / (two lines at bottom). Back cover has in lower left corner blind stamp of publishers’ device, but is otherwise blank. All edges cut. End-papers white.
Sons and Lovers, now universally acclaimed one of the great novels of recent years, appeals strongly to many collectors who go in for modern first editions. The significance of the book was realized soon after its publication, and copies of the initial printing were evidently read, passed around, and reread. As a result, copies of this edition in excellent state are now seldom seen. Most show signs of hard use. Nevertheless, all Lawrence collectors entertain the hope of having some fine day an editio princeps of Sons and Lovers in what they can superciliously call “pristine condition.” The incorrigibly optimistic want even the original dust-cover.
While waiting for this perfect copy, some collectors may do well to make sure that their present copies are of the first issue; for Sons and Lovers is rather a tricky item. A later issue in lighter blue cloth, without date on title-page, must not be confused with the real first issue described above, the cloth of which is an unusual dark blue—somewhat lighter than navy blue.
The first American edition of Sons and Lovers was published, from new plates, by Mitchell Kennerley, New York, 1913.