The Egoist by George Meredith (1905), with The White House Library Tag 📜🇺🇸🏛️

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a nice edition of The Egoist, a novel by George Meredith. Published in 1905 by Charles Scribner's Sons, this volume is part of a larger set of the author's collected works.

Its significance is elevated by a tag from The White House. This physical link transforms the book into an investment-grade artifact.

The book provides a window into the social and political complexities of the Victorian Age. Its connection to the White House library gives it historical weight, elevating its status dramatically.

2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

The Egoist is a masterful satirical novel. It dissects the character of Sir Willoughby Patterne. The narrative follows Willoughby's attempts to secure a suitable wife. The novel explores the pervasive impact of egoism on personal relationships. Meredith's witty and challenging prose makes this novel a high form of literary art.

The book is a rich exploration of the destructive nature of egoism. It is noted for its psychological insights. The novel promotes themes of female agency and examines the implications of sex and marriage. This 1905 edition presents a work that was one of Meredith's most celebrated.

3. About the Author ✍️🏛️✨

George Meredith (1828-1909) was an English novelist and poet. His novels were innovative in their attention to characters' psychology and social change. Diana of the Crossways was his greatest success, but The Egoist is now considered his most enduring novel.

Meredith was a progressive thinker. He regarded women as the equals of men in his novels. His literary style was both praised and critiqued. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature seven times. His novels continue to be studied for their rich psychological depth and social commentary.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

The Egoist, first published in 1879, is set during the Victorian era. The novel reflects the tension between traditional gender roles and the burgeoning feminist movement. The book’s portrayal of a woman's struggle for independence was a powerful statement. Meredith's work directly engages with these social and political issues.

The book’s 1905 publication places it at the very end of the Victorian era. At this time, Meredith was recognized as a literary master. This edition is a reflection of his lasting legacy. It is an authentic artifact of a time when the ideals of liberty and justice were being debated.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is a perfect fit for a curator of Victorian literature or a scholar of 19th-century English social history. It is ideal for an individual who values a book’s historical weight.

The volume's inclusion in a larger set speaks to a collector who seeks a definitive document from a specific period. It appeals to a collector who is interested in the intersection of English history and publishing.

This book is a profound asset for a collector who seeks a direct link to the personal struggles that shaped a cultural era. The item speaks to someone who understands that the value of an object is in the story it tells. This is an artifact for a collector who seeks items that are both intellectually significant and emotionally resonant. Its presence on a shelf would signal a deep-seated interest in the true history of the English novel.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This 1905 edition of The Egoist is a well-preserved volume. Its rarity and value are elevated by its association with The White House. The presence of a "White House" tag transforms it into a unique historical artifact. Such items are exceedingly scarce. The book is now a piece of presidential and American history.

The price is a direct reflection of this rare historical association. It is a non-replicable asset with documented ties to the highest office in the United States. Its value is based on the extraordinary context of its history. This item is a genuine piece of Americana.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This book is a genuine and handsome survivor, showing the authentic wear of a cherished book from the early 20th century. The hardcover binding is in solid state, with a tight and sound structure. The covers show some rubbing and scuffing, which is expected for a book of this age. The gilt lettering on the spine is still present, though it shows some expected discoloration. The pages show some expected toning and foxing.

The interior pages are clean. The text block is firm and sound. There are no major tears or markings.

The overall condition is wonderful for a volume that is over 100 years old.

8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• The Egoist is a comedic novel that focuses on the character of Sir Willoughby Patterne. It is not based on the life of Caroline Norton, which was the inspiration for Meredith's other novel, Diana of the Crossways.

• Meredith’s novels were innovative for their time. They were among the first to focus on the psychological motivations of their characters. He was a pioneer who influenced a generation of novelists.

• While it is not clear which president or first family may have had this book, the presence of the tag from The White House means the book was part of the official residence's library. This is a rare form of documented ownership.

9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: The Egoist: A Comedy in Narrative

• Author/Maker: George Meredith

• Year: 1905

• Publisher/Foundry: Charles Scribner's Sons

• Place of Origin: New York, USA

• Format/Binding: Hardcover, Cloth Binding

• Edition: N/A, part of a collected works set

• Rarity: Uncommon, but very rare with White House tag