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Fugitive Pieces by James Whitcomb Riley (RARE, Homestead Edition, Inscribed), 1917 📜🇺🇸✍️

Name: Fugitive Pieces by James Whitcomb Riley (RARE, Homestead Edition, Inscribed), 1917 📜🇺🇸✍️
Brand: Wall Antiques
Price: 5490.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$5,490.00

Sale Sold out

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This volume is an exceptional and rare literary artifact, The Works of James Whitcomb Riley: Fugitive Pieces, published in 1917.

It serves as a cornerstone collectible for those who value the intersection of literature and personal history. This first edition Homestead printing is elevated by a series of deeply personal inscriptions and the inclusion of botanical ephemera. The book is not merely a collection of poems; it is a tangible connection to the life of one of America's most cherished poets and his inner family circle.

The presence of handwritten notes from a direct member of Riley's family provides a unique and verifiable narrative that sets this copy apart from all others.

The explicit inscription confirms that this particular volume is "From the Library of James Whitcomb Riley," making it an unparalleled artifact.

2. About the Artwork/Book/Object 📖✍️✨

This book is a carefully curated selection of poems by James Whitcomb Riley, often referred to as "Fugitive Pieces," which were previously scattered across various publications and printings.

The collection was compiled and published posthumously in 1917 by The Bobbs-Merrill Company. This volume represents an effort to consolidate the poet’s work and preserve his legacy after his passing in 1916.

The poems within this book delve into Riley’s signature themes of childhood, nature, and rural American life, written in his characteristic Midwestern dialect. Unlike some of his more popular collections, this one offers a deeper, more comprehensive look into the breadth of his creative output. Its existence as a consolidated edition for a limited audience, as part of a Homestead Edition, makes it a specific and valuable part of his bibliography.

3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️✨

James Whitcomb Riley (1849–1916) was an American author and poet from Indiana, who earned the lasting title of the “Hoosier Poet”. He rose to national fame in the late 19th century for his sentimental and humorous poetry that often utilized a folksy, colloquial style. Riley's work celebrated the charm of rural life, earning him a place as a central figure in American popular culture. He was celebrated not only for his writing but also for his public recitals, where he would perform his poems to sold-out audiences.

Riley's ability to connect with people through his work made him one of the highest-paid authors of his era. This particular volume, published a year after his death, serves as a tribute to his career and his lasting impact on American letters.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1917, this book emerged during a crucial period of transition in the United States. The nation was grappling with the societal impacts of the Progressive Era, characterized by rapid industrialization and urbanization. As America prepared to enter World War I, a sense of national identity and cultural heritage was particularly important.

Riley's poetry, with its nostalgic focus on simple country life and enduring values, offered a comforting and familiar perspective during a time of global uncertainty and rapid change.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This volume is intended for a collector who seeks more than just a book; they seek a unique narrative and a direct connection to a historical figure. It is an ideal piece for a curator of American literary history, a scholar of James Whitcomb Riley, or a private collector of fine and singular editions. The ideal owner values the deeply personal inscriptions as a window into the intimate circle of the poet himself.

It is a compelling choice for a library or a museum seeking to add a unique piece to their collection that can serve as a teaching tool and a conversation starter.

The presence of a personal inscription from Riley's sister-in-law, a member of his immediate family, makes this a singular artifact for a serious collection. The explicit inscription confirms this book is "From the Library of James Whitcomb Riley," a detail of unparalleled importance for a serious collector.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

The value of this book is derived from several key factors that combine to create a rare and non-replicable item. Its status as a first edition, Homestead Edition from 1917 is a significant point of scarcity. However, the most compelling value driver is the presence of multiple, detailed handwritten inscriptions. These unique additions transform the book from a standard collectible into a direct artifact with a documented history.

The inscriptions place this specific copy in the hands of Riley's sister-in-law, Julia W. Riley, and a visitor who collected flowers from the poet's own garden.

The inscription "From the Library of James Whitcomb Riley" confirms this copy’s direct and personal connection to the poet.

This kind of documented personal connection is exceptionally difficult to find and commands a premium in the market for literary artifacts. This book is 108 years old as of 2025 and has survived two World Wars, the Great Depression, and countless other historical events to arrive in California.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This book is in remarkable condition, showing only minimal, authentic wear consistent with its age and history.

The orange cloth binding is in solid shape, with the gilded lettering on the front cover and spine remaining vibrant and clear.
The pages are clean and well-preserved, with no signs of foxing, toning, or tears. However, there is a small page tear on page 63.
The book’s binding is tight and sound, indicating that it has been carefully handled and stored over the last century.
The front endpaper has a pasted-down note, a second inscription in pencil, and a third inscription from Julia W. Riley, all of which are in excellent condition and clearly legible.
The pressed flowers that were mentioned in one of the inscriptions are missing, likely to preserve the book from mold or other damages.

8. Translation of Inscriptions/Ephemera (Conditional) ✍️📜🔤

This book contains three separate unique inscriptions, each adding to its layered personal history. The first is a detailed note, the second is a short note, and the third is from a direct member of the Riley family. The inscriptions are presented verbatim below for review.

The first inscription, written in pencil and accompanied by pressed flowers, reads:

"Visited the home of James Whitcomb Riley on august 13th 1923 attended P.M. 3 o'clock His sister-in-law J. W. Riley These flowers are known as the 'rare passion flower' planted by the hands of James Whitcomb Riley and picked from his flowerbeds Great to the old Woodshed. Hope you like this Mother dear Your loving Daddy".

The second inscription, also in pencil, reads:

"J.W's sister Past the picture in home".

The third inscription, in pencil on a separate endpaper, is from Julia W. Riley, the poet's sister-in-law:

"From the Library of James Whitcomb Riley —The Hoosier Poet— from Julia W. Riley Sister-in-law of James Whitcomb To Mr. Gilette".

These inscriptions, taken together, provide a singular narrative of this book's journey, from a member of Riley’s family to a visitor who took a piece of the poet's garden with them.

9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

James Whitcomb Riley’s home in Indianapolis, known as the Lockerbie Street Home, is now a museum and a National Historic Landmark.
The "rare passion flower" mentioned in the inscription is a unique botanical detail that directly connects a physical piece of nature to the book.
Riley was a close friend of President Theodore Roosevelt, who considered himself a great admirer of his work.
The poem "Little Orphant Annie," one of Riley's most famous, was inspired by a real-life orphan girl named Mary Alice "Allie" Smith.
The famous phrase "the goblins'll get ya if you don't watch out" is a line from this classic work.