Pavilion of Women by Pearl S. Buck (Second Impression, Ex Libris), 1946. 🏯📜🌸

1. Introduction 📜🔍

Pavilion of Women by the celebrated Nobel laureate, Pearl S. Buck. Published in 1946, this volume is a well-preserved example of mid-20th-century American literature. Its status as a widely read classic and its unique ex libris bookplate give it a documented history that makes it a desirable item for a collector of American history and classic novels.

2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

Pavilion of Women is a powerful novel that tells the story of Madam Wu, a strong-willed Chinese woman who, on her fortieth birthday, decides to retire from her duties as a wife and mother. The book explores themes of female independence, sacrifice, and the search for personal freedom within the strict confines of traditional Chinese society. It is a bold and moving work of fiction that provides a fascinating look into a world that was largely unknown to Western readers at the time.

3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️

Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973) was an American writer and novelist. She spent most of her life in China as the daughter of missionaries, and her experiences there informed her writing. She was a Nobel laureate in Literature in 1938 and won the Pulitzer Prize in 1932 for her novel The Good Earth. She was a pioneer in bringing Chinese culture to Western readers. The book was published by The John Day Company, an American publishing house that specialized in progressive and educational books.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1946, this book appeared at a time when America was grappling with its new status as a world power. Buck's novel was part of a movement of books that sought to broaden American understanding of the world, especially of China, which had been an ally in the war against Japan. The book's themes of female agency and independence resonated with a post-war generation of women who were entering the workforce and challenging traditional gender roles.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is a perfect fit for a collector of classic American literature, a fan of Pearl S. Buck, or a bibliophile specializing in books with documented ownership history. Its status as a second impression and its "ex libris" bookplate make it a unique item for a collection focused on the personal stories behind books.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This is an uncommon but not extremely rare second impression of a classic work. Its value is derived from its status as a popular novel and the scarcity of early impressions in good condition. Its "ex libris" bookplate adds a special personal history that is highly appealing to a collector who appreciates the story behind a book's ownership.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This book shows signs of wear and age, as is common for a book of its era. The covers have some minor scuffing, but the binding is sound, and the pages are clean and well-preserved. There are no major tears or markings.

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

This book has an "ex libris" sticker on the inside front cover that reads, "Ex Libris Jean And William Greene." This sticker, which is a key part of the book's history, documents its journey as a well-loved volume from the library of a previous owner.

9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• Pearl S. Buck was a prolific writer, publishing over 70 books, and was known for her dedication to humanitarian causes.

• The book was adapted into a film in 1994, starring Ming-Na Wen and Winston Chao.

• The book's publisher, The John Day Company, was known for publishing books on China and Asia.

10. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: Pavilion of Women

• Author: Pearl S. Buck

• Year: 1946

• Publisher: The John Day Company

• Place of Origin: New York, New York, USA

• Format: Hardcover

• Edition: Second Impression

• Rarity: Uncommon