The Virginian (FIRST WESTERN NOVEL!) Owen Wister [Near Fine] [Hardcover]

The Virginian by Owen Wister ***The first true Western novel ever written, with the first shootout ending in fiction. *** CONDITION: VERY GOOD+ Published by Macmillan in 1902 in New York. First edition, first printing with the ""set up and electrotyped April, 1902"" statement on the copyright page. In its original tan cloth with red lettering and red, black and gold decoration. Octavo, 7.5"" x 5"", xiv, 504, [6] pp. Eight illustrated b&w plates by Arthur I. Keller. In 1885, the Harvard educated Wister sought recuperation at a Wyoming ranch after suffering a nervous breakdown. He began writing various pieces about the West, culminating in his 1902 magnum opus, The Virginian, that he dedicated to his friend, President Theodore Roosevelt. It effectively created the Western genre we know today: a mysterious, chivalrous cowboy rides into town, grapples with moral dilemmas and other cowboys, and forms a love interest with a beautiful maiden. It contains classic genre defining events like horse-thievery, card playing, cattle driving, and a climactic gunfight that's the first showdown in fiction. Truly a landmark work that was the best-selling book in the country for two straight years. Condition Report: VG+ Some spine lean, firm hinges and joints, clean and colorful cloth (scarce). Slight rubbing to head of spine. Rubbing to extremities. Three bumped corners. Interior is clean and bright with no foxing (scarce to find without it!) or ex libris marks. Partially erased pencil writing on FFEP. Lightly toned pages. Only a few light smudges and signs of handling. A true first printing of the very first Western novel, and in much nicer condition than normally found! Please note: I know what it's like to receive items not matching the seller's descriptions or that were poorly packaged and damaged in transit. That is why I offer a 100% satisfaction, money back guarantee, and go to great lengths to accurately describe my rare, signed and collectible books and post pictures of the ""actual book."" I carefully package and ship your newly acquired treasure(s) and typically ship within 1 business day of receiving your order.