Essays on Social Topics.
(Woodhull, Victoria). Claflin, Tennie. Essays on Social Topics. By Lady Cook, Nee Tennessee Claflin. London: The Roxburghe Press, [after 1885].
8vo.; red pebbled cloth stamped in gilt; evenly soiled; spine sunned.
First edition; with the publisher's slip, blazoning “With Lady Cook’s Compliments” tipped-in at the front endpaper, and advertising the up-coming sequel. Though several copies of this collection of essays have come through the market over the years, we have never seen one in this format; we assume the author’s complimentary slip indicates that this is the true first edition. The NUC locates six copies.
Claflin’s collection — written late in her career, after her marriage in 1885 to Francis Cook, and dedicated affectionately to her parents — includes her thoughts on topics relating both to women as free-thinking, independent individuals, as well as the roles and relationships of women in society. A sampling of chapter titles includes “Ideal Woman,” “Plea for Young and Old Maids,” “Prudery,” “Moral Espionage,” ‘Morals of Authors,” “ ‘The “New” Man’ and ‘The New Movement’,” and “Who Rules?”
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