I have decided to continue pursuing the life of my first edition copy of Little Men. To understand the significance and history of this novel, I will first explain some of the context for its creation. As previously mentioned, this is the second novel in the Little Women trilogy written by Louisa May Alcott. The original classic, Little Women, was initially published as two separate editions in 1968 and 1969. These books exist on multiple levels due to the Roberts Brothers who not only published the titles but also pressured Alcott into writing them in the first place. The Roberts Brothers were initially bookbinders starting in 1857 in Boston, Massachusetts, consisting of Austin Roberts, John Roberts, and Lewis Roberts, but soon became listed only under the names Lewis Roberts and Thomas Niles. Niles became involved with the firm five years before the publishing of Little Women. It was Thomas Niles who approached one of his writers, Louisa May Alcott, to give rest to her original short stories write a novel for young girls. She was not interested in this type of writing as she did not value the stereotypes and expectations placed on women, though she attempted it and end up being a hit when shown to young girls. This was due to its somewhat negative grappling with issues girls often faced such as individuality, family pressures, and domesticity–while still being charming and idealistic. Therefore, the Roberts Brothers printed 2,000 each of these first two volumes of the future classic, Little Women.

When it comes to this edition I own, it had a very similar origin. Alcott was shocked with the success of the first novel and so she was asked to write a second, to please the readers waiting to hear of the fates of the relatable characters. Due to its demand, there were 10,000 copies released in its first printing in 1871. All were clothbound with color choices in terra cotta, red, and green. As I have hopefully explained in these first two paragraphs, this book was most definitely intended to be read. However, we must consider who was intended to read this novel. As printed in the book, this novel and others written by Alcott were listed at $1.50 each. I knew this price was not at all accurate to what we now value $1.50, but I was surprised to find that this would be equivalent to about $30 today. Though its expense surprised me–even with its detailed cloth and gold embossed binding–I also know that books in the late nineteenth century were still a symbol of status, wealth, and education. Therefore, I would assume that a book such as this would have been bought for a young, educated girl in a financially stable family. I would also guess that most of the initial readers of this book lived in New England, both because this is where it is set and published, but also due to the beliefs expressed in the novel about the disgrace of slavery and racism through its discussion of the Civil War.

While I do not know of the specifics about the extended chain of ownership before I acquired this book, I do know that I found this in an antique store or old book shop in New England. And, although this book was intended to be read, I know based on where it was found and its condition that this use has changed over time as it often does with old books, especially classics. In considering the condition of this book, especially in comparing it to other later editions of the same publisher I have in my collection, I would say this book was not read often. Most of the wear is located on the outer edges of the binding, from its contact with other objects and people. However, the inner binding itself and the pages are in some of the best conditions I own, which makes me believe that someone realized early on the significance of it being a first edition. Most likely this book has spent most of its 150 year life on a shelf with other books of similar value or condition in someone’s collection–perhaps someone who has not even read the title. This is what makes it interesting that it found its way to a crowded shelf of an antique store where its monetary or cultural value was not known. Today, a book from this printing can be worth somewhere in the realm of 300 to 500 dollars. However, I believe its chain of ownership will have an extended stop with me.