The Ambassadors

New York: Harper & Brothers, 1903. First American edition, in dust jacket, of James’s great comic novel, which follows a series of “ambassadors” sent to extricate an American industrial scion from his adventures in Paris. Through the figure of Lambert Strether, whose failure as an ambassador will have lasting consequences for him back in Massachusetts, James explores what we would now call the mid-life crisis: “All the same, don't forget that you’re young -- blessedly young; be glad of it, on the contrary, and live up to it. Live all you can; it’s a mistake not to.” The original owner of this copy, Marie Beale, acquired it shortly after she and her (truncated) new husband, American diplomat Truxton Beale, embarked on their own European tour. At Decatur House, now a National Historic Trust site, Beale became one of the most influential Washington hostesses of the twentieth century. Edel & Laurence A58b. A near-fine copy of James’s favorite of his own novels. Single volume, measuring 8 x 5.25 inches: ii, 432. Original pale blue paper boards, spine lettered in gilt, top edge gilt, other edges untrimmed. Original dark blue fabric-paper dust jacket, spine lettered in gilt. Title page printed in red and black. Contemporary ownership inscription: “Marie Beale / Christmas 1903 / Tejon Ranch” to front pastedown; later inscription: “Lieutenant Marjorie Brenner USRR / July 1945 / San Francisco.” Lightest rubbing to jacket. (Inventory #: 1003902)