1 17

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (RARE, Early Printing), September 1936 📜✍️🏛️

Name: Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (RARE, Early Printing), September 1936 📜✍️🏛️
Brand: Wall Antiques
Price: 625.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$625.00

Sale Sold out

1. Introduction

This is a rare and cornerstone work of American literature. The book, Gone with the Wind, is a cultural phenomenon that has captivated readers for generations, telling the epic story of Scarlett O'Hara and the American Civil War.

As a rare early printing from 1936, this volume is a highly sought-after artifact for collectors of modern literary classics and Americana. It offers a unique window into a pivotal era of American history and the public's fascination with its most dramatic moments.

2. About the Book

Gone with the Wind is a sprawling historical novel that tells the story of Scarlett O'Hara, a headstrong Southern belle, and her struggle for survival during the American Civil War and the subsequent Reconstruction era. The novel is a complex portrait of a society in upheaval, exploring themes of love, loss, and the changing social order. Its rich narrative and unforgettable characters have made it one of the most beloved and enduring works of fiction in the English language.

The book is an essential primary source for any scholar or dedicated reader of 20th-century American literature. It is widely considered to be a cultural time capsule, capturing the ideals of Southern honor and a deep appreciation for the art of storytelling. The physical book itself, with its original grey publisher's cloth and carefully typeset pages, is a testament to the high-quality publishing of the era. This volume provides a fascinating look into the life of a true American heroine.

3. About the Author/Maker

Margaret Mitchell (1900-1949) was an American author and journalist from Atlanta, Georgia. She spent ten years writing Gone with the Wind, her only novel published during her lifetime. She was a master storyteller, known for her ability to weave a compelling narrative from historical facts. Her work is a serious examination of the American experience and a constant reinvention of the historical narrative.

Mitchell’s legacy is rooted in her remarkable achievement and her gift for storytelling. Her book showcases a powerful and engaging voice, filled with dry wit and an unflappable spirit. She was not a trained writer, but her prose is celebrated for its directness and authenticity. Her work provides a crucial perspective on the American experience.

4. Historical/Political Era Context

Published in 1936, this book is an artifact of the interwar period in America. It was a time of immense political and social upheaval, as the nation was grappling with the Great Depression and the growing tensions over World War II. The book’s publication reflects a widespread desire for stories that celebrated the complexities of the American experience. It also comes at a time when American literary criticism was becoming a more sophisticated and serious genre.

The book is a "time capsule" of mid-20th-century American intellectual thought. It captures the spirit of an era when individual expression and personal narratives were highly valued. The volume reflects the values of its time and provides an honest look at the lives of a community that was often overlooked by mainstream culture. It serves as an important record of the transitional period between a nation divided and one striving for unity and a new national identity.

5. The Ideal Collector

This book is intended for a curator of American literary criticism, a scholar of Southern history, or a private collector of fine bindings. It is an ideal acquisition for an individual who values a book's dual significance as a foundational historical document and a physical artifact of its time. This is a perfect fit for a collection that cherishes the intimate story behind a social movement. It appeals to a collector interested in the intersection of culture, history, and the art of bookmaking.

A true bibliophile would appreciate the high-quality binding and the rich intellectual history contained within its pages. The book is an essential piece for an individual building a library that tells the story of how American society was transformed.

6. Value & Rarity

As a rare early printing from September 1936 (Twice), this book represents a genuinely scarce, non-replicable asset class.

First and early editions of important works of literary criticism are highly sought after by collectors. The book was published to critical acclaim, but its scarcity in a well-preserved state makes it a premium and highly desirable item. The price is a direct reflection of the book's rarity, its historical significance, and its condition for an item of its age.

7. Condition

This volume is a handsome survivor from the mid-20th century, showing honest and authentic wear consistent with its age.

The original publisher's cloth is in solid state, with a tight and sound binding.
The covers show rubbing and scuffing, particularly along the edges and on the spine.
The pages have some expected discoloration and foxing throughout, a natural process for paper, which gives it authenticity.
The pages are free from any major tears or stains, and the interior text block is clean.
The book is free of any detached or loose pages. The book has been well cared for over the centuries and remains a functional, readable object.

8. Fun Facts & Unique Features

Gone with the Wind was Margaret Mitchell's only published novel during her lifetime, which she wrote over a ten-year period.
A Harris poll found it to be the second favorite book of American readers, just behind the Bible, as of 2014.
The title is taken from a line in the poem Non Sum Qualis eram Bonae Sub Regno Cynarae by Ernest Dowson.
The book's final line, "Tomorrow is another day," was a tentative title for the novel.
The book was published in June 1936, but was reprinted multiple times in just a few months, including twice in June, three times in July, six times in August, and twice in September.