This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/20/2022
JAMES, Henry (1843–1916). Letters of Henry James to Walter Berry. Paris: The Black Sun Press, 1928. Small 4to. Double–page facsimile (sprung but laid in). Original cream wrappers printed in red and black (tiny chip at foot reinforced); original glassine (some chipping along edges with loss); morocco–backed slipcase with folding chemise. FIRST EDITION, LIMITED ISSUE, one of 16 copies (from a total edition of 116) printed on Japon paper SUPPLEMENTED WITH AN ORIGINAL TYPED LETTER SIGNED FROM JAMES TO BERRY, 3pp. recto and verso, small 4to (conjoining leaves), Sussex, 18 October 1912 on personal letterhead, autograph corrections and annotations probably in James’ hand, old folds, two sheets joined at the inner margin with tissue. This is letter 13 of 16 published in the volume, written in anticipation of Berry’s upcoming visit to Lamb House with a discussion of his illness and fatigue: “I welcome your generous compassion and am really not far from thinking that I rather deserve it. I have had a weary, dreary, sordid, squalid time, and don’t even yet feel the tide to have very decidedly turned. Still, I do get up—though I don’t get further, and I am at this moment in the depths of a demoralized loll (the armchair most intimately acquainted with the imprint of my figure aiding) whence I weave and try to waft to you these vague symbols of hope and trust.” Walter Van Renssalaer Berry was the scion of an old New York family and close friend of both James and Edith Wharton. Minkoff A16; Edel and Laurence C8.