WILDER, Thornton (1897-1975). The Cabala. New York: Albert & Charles Boni, 1926.

8vo. Original red buckram-backed cloth-covered boards (spine slightly faded, some slight rubbing). Provenance: Frances Newman (presentation inscription).

FIRST EDITION of the author's first book. PRESENTATION COPY, INSCRIBED BY WILDER TO AUTHOR FRANCES NEWMAN: "For Frances Newman giá Farraday from Thornton, giá Samuele this merely American novel. 'He's like an eager dog with his tongue out of his mouth.' Our summer Peterboro, 1926."

A FINE ASSOCIATION COPY. Thornton Wilder and Frances Newman became acquainted during an artists' residency at MacDowell in Peterborough, New Hampshire, in the summer of 1926. During her residency at MacDowell, Newman wrote her semi-autobiographical first novel, The Hard-Boiled Virgin, which told the story of her alter ego, Katherine Faraday, an Atlantan who chooses a career and independence over marriage and motherhood. Writing to Newman (a.k.a. "Farraday" [sic]), Wilder signs his inscription as "Samuele," the name of his alter ego in this semi-autobiographical novel set in post-World War I Rome.