Heart of the West -
O. Henry (Pseud. William Sydney Porter)
1907 - The McClure Company, New York - First Edition
First edition of this collection of nineteen short western stories set mostly in Texas, by the American master of short stories with his comic eye, his gift for evoking speech and setting, and his unique approach to life's quirks of fate.
William Sydney Porter (pseud. O.Henry, 1862-1910) was one of the most popular American writers of the twentieth century. He lived in Texas from the age of 19 to 35 and had a short but colourful life, initially working as a pharmacist before moving into journalism.
In 1896 he was arrested for embezzling funds while working as a bookkeeper for a bank. In a moment of madness, he absconded on his way to the courthouse before his trial and fled to Honduras for six months. He returned to face trial after learning that his wife was dying of tuberculosis and served three years in jail. While in prison, he adopted the pen name O. Henry, and after his release he found great fame and popularity as a short story writer. Reference: Penguin.
Octavo (book size 20x14.3cm), pp. [6] 334. In publisher’s brown cloth, spine and front board lettered and decorated in white, pale blue and green, all edges trimmed. Condition: Fine with the exception of rubbing to white lettering on spine, but far less than usually encountered. Ref: 110709 Price: HK$ 2,500
William Sydney Porter (pseud. O.Henry, 1862-1910) was one of the most popular American writers of the twentieth century. He lived in Texas from the age of 19 to 35 and had a short but colourful life, initially working as a pharmacist before moving into journalism.
In 1896 he was arrested for embezzling funds while working as a bookkeeper for a bank. In a moment of madness, he absconded on his way to the courthouse before his trial and fled to Honduras for six months. He returned to face trial after learning that his wife was dying of tuberculosis and served three years in jail. While in prison, he adopted the pen name O. Henry, and after his release he found great fame and popularity as a short story writer. Reference: Penguin.
Octavo (book size 20x14.3cm), pp. [6] 334. In publisher’s brown cloth, spine and front board lettered and decorated in white, pale blue and green, all edges trimmed. Condition: Fine with the exception of rubbing to white lettering on spine, but far less than usually encountered. Ref: 110709 Price: HK$ 2,500