Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, Illustrated by Percy Tarrant, 1890

Alcott, Louisa May. Little Women. Illustrated by Percy Tarrant. London: Associated Newspapers Ltd., 1899. In original orange pictorial front board and spine, stamped in black, purple, and white. Rebacked in cloth to match. New archival slipcase with inlay. 

Presented is a charming 1899 edition of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. This book was published in London, by Associated Newspapers Ltd., and features full color illustrations by the famous British artist Percy Tarrant. The book retains its original, orange pictorial cloth front board and spine, stamped in black, white, and purple. It has been professionally rebacked and is presented with a new archival cloth slipcase. 

Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) began her literary career in 1852, publishing her first story anonymously in The Olive Branch, a weekly Boston newspaper. She continued to write under pseudonyms, contributing short fiction and thrillers to various newspapers. Her first book under her own name, Flower Fables, a collection of fairy tales, appeared in 1854. Alcott went on to publish short stories in Atlantic Monthly, several plays, autobiographical sketches drawn from her Civil War nursing experience, and in 1864, her first adult novel, Moods.

Alcott's most enduring work, Little Women, has a particularly noteworthy publishing history. In 1868, her publisher, Roberts Brothers, asked that she try writing a “girls’ story” for their company. She wrote the original manuscript in just six weeks, loosely basing the story on her own experiences growing up in a family of four sisters. The first part of the novel was released on September 30, 1868, in bindings of green, purple, and terra cotta cloth, priced at $1.25. Its popularity was immediate; the initial print run of 2,000 copies sold quickly, prompting a price increase of twenty-five cents for subsequent printings. Responding to public demand, Alcott wrote the second part of the story, completing it in only two months. Published in April 1869, Part Two concluded the beloved story of four sisters growing up in mid-nineteenth-century New England.

This 1899 edition presents the complete text of Little Women, including both parts of the novel, and features richly detailed color illustrations by Percy Tarrant. Percy Tarrant (1855–1934) was a British artist and illustrator known for his detailed, realist style. He began his career in 1882 designing Christmas cards for Eyre & Spottiswoode and Marcus Ward. By 1883, he was contributing illustrations to The Illustrated London News, followed by regular work for The Quiver, Cassell’s Family Magazine, and many other periodicals, including Little Folks, Girl’s Own Paper, The Windsor Magazine, and The Royal Magazine.

Tarrant’s book illustration work began in 1887 with Griffith, Farran & Co., and from 1889 he worked extensively with W. & R. Chambers, illustrating over 50 children’s books through 1932. His work featured in stories by L.T. Meade, Elsie J. Oxenham, Tom Bevan, and John Finnemore. He also illustrated books for other publishers, including school stories and classic reissues like Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, and Little Women.

As a realist painter, Tarrant focused on rural life, capturing scenes of farming, gardening, and children at play. Notable paintings include A Sheep Dog, Busy Bees, Children Skating, and Come With Me. He exhibited at the Royal Academy and the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool. His paintings and illustrations were known for their detailed, naturalistic style and faithful representations of everyday life. 

CONDITION:

Good condition overall. In original orange pictorial front board and spine, stamped in black, white, and purple. Cloth with light staining and wear to front, bumping to spine. Professionally rebacked, in orange cloth to match. With new joints and linings. Interior pages are clean and healthy. Illustrated with full color illustrations by Tarrant. Presented with a new archival cloth slipcase, with inlay. 

Book Dimensions: 8" H x 6" W x 1 1/2" D. Slipcase Dimensions: 8 7/16" H x 6 1/8" W x 2 1/8" D. 

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.