Catherine Sinclair — Holiday House

New York, Robert Carter, 1839. First edition. Cloth. The very scarce first U.S. edition of Catherine Sinclair's popular children's novel. The very scarce first U.S. edition. A charming children's novel, a unique departure of the genre for the time, as in 'Holiday House' shows its protagonist children misbehaving and being mischievous. The novel proved to be greatly popular for that reason. Catherine Sinclair was a notable Scottish novelist, credited with being the first to discover that Walter Scott was the author of the Waverley novels.Prior owner's ink note to the title page: "This book was read to me as a child, and I can remember what joy it gave me. I will never be able to read it to Michael or Julie, as it was read to me by Wee Auntie. She was a wonderful reader. 10.1.75".Collated, bound without pages 147-154. Rebound in a modern cloth binding, with renewed endpapers. Externally, smart, with a few light marks. Gilt to the spine is rubbed. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are lightly age-toned with spotting. Tidemark to the first and last few pages. Prior owner's ink inscription to the title page. Repair to the margin of pages 60, 61, and 129-146. Good . Ill.: None. Good .