[Early English edition, in parts, of Uncle Tom's Cabin, with introduction titled 'A Few Words to the British Reader'.] Uncle Tom's Cabin. The Great American Novel. To be completed in Six Weekly Numbers, Price One Penny each.

Author: 
[Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896), American author and abolitionist; Vickers, bookseller 334 Strand, London]]
Publication details: 
London: VICKERS, 334, Strand; and all Booksellers. The first number dated 'SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 1852.
£450.00
SKU: 23199

Author not named. The six parts totalling 96pp., 4to. Unbound and stitched together. In poor condition, on aged and worn paper with occasional minor loss. Page 1 carries 'A Few Words to the British Reader', beginning: 'UNCLE TOM'S CABIN is not only the most thrilling Novel ever written in America, but the most interesting and startling work of the age. It was first issued in America three or four months' since, and though published at a dollar and a half, nearly 150,000 copies have been already sold in that country.' The first edition of Uncle Tom's Cabin was published in America on 20 March 1852; the first English edition, by Clarke & Company, appeared in May of the same year (see R. D. Patkus and M. C. Schlosser, 'Aspects of the Publishing History of Uncle Tom's Cabin, 1851-1900'). The only copy of this early edition traced on COPAC/WorldCat is in the Opie Collection at the Bodleian, whose entry describes it as undated.