ACTIVE SERVICE; A Novel / By Stephen Crane
New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1899. First Edition. Decorated cloth. Small 8vo (7 1/2" x 5 1/4"), light green cloth with black lettering on spine & front cover with Art Nouveau tree embosed on spine and front cover, [vi] + 345 pages. Very Good / None. Item #5601
Stephen Crane (1871 – 1900) was an American poet, novelist, and short story writer. Creative and prolific, he wrote striking works that became models of American "Naturalism" and Impressionism. Crane's Red Badge of Courage and Maggie a Girl of the Streets are American classics.
ACTIVE SERVICE tells the story of a promising young editor of the Sunday supplement for a prominent New York paper, who falls deeply in love with the daughter of a disapproving and petty college prof. When the latter tries to abort the connection by taking his daughter to Greece, the passionate editor follows. Their romance then takes place against the backdrop of the Turkish-Greek war (where Crane had once been a war correspondent). The book has been praised for its "abundance of minute observation"; "tenderness and brilliance," and "sheer impudent vivacity."
Very Good condition: Square and tight copy without internal markings. Front inner hinge paper cracked but sewing holding well. Cover has moderate wear most noticeable at corners and head & foot of spine. Light uniform page-toning. BAL 4084; Stallman #21; Wright III, 1250.
Price: $125.00