Rebecca Of Sunnybrook Farm

A Thrushwood Book

Hardcover

Fiction

18

2018-06-26 17:44:29

Based on the images and general knowledge, here is an overview of the book, its historical importance, edition status, and potential value.
Book Overview
The book is ”Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm” by Kate Douglas Wiggin (who is also referred to as Kate Douglas Riggs on the copyright page, as Riggs was her married name from 1895 onward, though she often wrote under Wiggin).
* Plot: It is a classic American children’s novel, first published in 1903. The story follows ten-year-old Rebecca Rowena Randall, a spirited and imaginative girl from a poor family on Sunnybrook Farm, who is sent to live with her two strict, wealthy spinster aunts, Miranda and Jane Sawyer, in the quiet town of Riverboro, Maine. Rebecca’s vivacious nature frequently clashes with the stern Aunt Miranda’s rigid expectations. Over the course of the novel, which covers several years of her life, Rebecca matures, endures trials, and ultimately wins the affection of her community and a wealthy benefactor, all while retaining her bright, optimistic spirit.
Historical Importance
”Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm” is considered a historically important work of classic American children’s literature, particularly within the genre of the ”wholesome girl” or ”coming-of-age” story.
* Influence: It was a massive bestseller upon publication and is a notable precursor to other beloved novels of its kind, like L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables (1908) and Eleanor H. Porter’s Pollyanna (1913). Rebecca, like Anne, is an imaginative, intelligent, and initially dependent young heroine whose positive outlook and personality transform the lives of those around her.
* Social Commentary: It offers realistic descriptions of small-town life in the late 19th/early 20th century and subtly explores social issues of the time, such as poverty, the constraints of small-village life, and the role of children in society.
* Legacy: The book has remained a classic, being adapted numerous times for the stage and screen, including silent films (with Mary Pickford) and talkies.
Is it a First Edition?
The images provide strong evidence that this copy is a First Edition, First Printing (or at least a very early print).
* Title Page: The title page shows the publisher as Houghton, Mifflin and Company and the date 1903, which is the original publisher and year.
* Copyright Page: The third image shows:
* COPYRIGHT 1903 BY KATE DOUGLAS RIGGS (Riggs was her married name at the time).
* Published October 1903 (The month of the original publication).
In book collecting, the presence of the original publisher, the first publication date on the title page, and the confirmation of the first publication date (often including the month or ”First Impression”) on the copyright page are key indicators of a first edition, first printing.
Value
The value of a first edition of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm from 1903 can vary significantly based on its condition.
* Potential Range:
* A first edition in poor condition might be worth $50 - $150.
* A first edition in Very Good to Near Fine condition (like new, with tight binding, clean pages, and minimal wear) often sells in the range of $300 - $1,500 or more, especially if it retains the rare original dust jacket (though a first printing jacket is exceptionally rare).
* Online listings for fine copies of the 1903 first edition generally show asking prices that can be over $1,000.
* Condition of Your Copy: Your images show the cover has some notable wear, rubbing, and discoloration (the green cloth is faded/worn in places), suggesting it is in good, but not mint, condition. This would place the value likely in the lower to middle part of the range, perhaps a few hundred dollars, but a professional appraisal would be necessary for an accurate valuation. The Published October 1903 notation is a significant point for collectors.


Q, 4.0, 1copy, HISTORICAL FICTION HF

Based on the images provided, here is an overview of the book:
Book Title: Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm
Author: Kate Douglas Wiggin
Publication Information:
* The copyright page (second image) shows the copyright date is 1903 by Kate Douglas Riggs. It also states ”Published October 1903.”
* The title page (fourth image) confirms the publication date of 1903 and the publisher as Houghton, Mifflin and Company of Boston and New York.
* A handwritten inscription on an endpaper (first image) reads ”Anna Virginia Lee December 25, 1903,” which is a personal inscription from the time of publication, indicating it was likely a Christmas gift.
First Edition Status:
This book is very likely a first edition. The key details are the copyright date and the publication date, which both state 1903. For a book of this era, the combination of the copyright year and the publication date on the title page matching the year of publication is a strong indicator of a first edition. The inscription from December 1903, just two months after the book’s publication, further supports this. The author’s name is listed on the copyright page as Kate Douglas Riggs and on the title page as Kate Douglas Wiggin. This is a common and often accepted name variation for the author, as she used both.
Historical Importance:
* Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm is a significant work in American children’s literature. It tells the story of a young, imaginative girl who is sent to live with her stern aunts. The book was a massive success and became an enduring classic.
* The character of Rebecca is considered a precursor to other famous literary orphans, such as Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables. The book helped establish the genre of the ”sentimental” or ”orphan” story in children’s fiction and influenced generations of writers.
* It is historically important as a reflection of the values and storytelling popular in early 20th-century America.
Value:
The value of this book is likely to be modest to moderate for a collector.
* As a first edition of a well-known children’s classic, it has inherent value.
* However, the condition, as seen on the cover (third image), shows significant wear, including rubbing on the edges, some fraying at the top and bottom of the spine, and general discoloration. The lack of a dust jacket also decreases the value.
* The personal inscription, while not by a famous person, adds a charming historical touch but does not significantly increase the monetary value.
* For an exact appraisal, it is best to consult a professional book dealer. However, based on the information provided, the value could range from a few tens of dollars to perhaps a hundred or more, depending on the specific condition of the pages and the market at the time of sale. First editions of this book in better condition, especially with a dust jacket, would be worth considerably more.

Houghton, Mifflin and Company

9780140367591

1903-06-01

1

~$278.85

2026-04-04

2018-06-26 17:44:29