inscribed by Edith Wharton
WHARTON, EDITH. Artemis to Actaeon and other verse
New York: Scribner’s, 1909
Original dark green cloth. Near fine.
FIRST EDITION of Wharton’s second book of poetry. Presentation copy inscribed by Wharton to Frances E. Thayer, her friend and typist: “F. E. Thayer from E. W.”
Frances E. (Fanny) Thayer worked for Edith Wharton as early as 1895, when Wharton was writing short stories, poetry, and travel essays. Thayer remained one of Wharton’s primary typists for at least twenty years. She was also a good friend of Anna Bahlmann, Wharton’s governess, primary secretary, and all-around assistant who made possible Wharton’s personal and professional life. Thayer almost certainly typed for publication the manuscript of Artemis to Actaeon.
Artemis to Actaeon was Wharton’s first published volume of poetry since her parents had arranged for her juvenile poems to be privately published when she was sixteen. Much of the poetry in Artemis was inspired by Wharton’s affair with William Morton Fullerton, and it shows, compared to her fiction, a more deeply emotional side to Wharton’s imagination.
Provenance: Frances E. (Fanny) Thayer, inscribed in pencil to her by Edith Wharton.
$3,500