Death Comes for the Archbishop.

New York: Alfred A. Knopf,, 1927. A lovely copy of the signed limited issue First edition, first impression, number 39 of 50 copies on japon signed by the author and issued in a deluxe binding, this example in bright condition with the slipcase. This experimental modernist novel was first published serially in Forum between January and June 1927, and over 200 alterations were made for publication in book form. Cather "considered this book her best, as do many critics" (ANB). Set in New Mexico just after the annexation of the territory to the United States this loosely episodic work fictionalizes the lives of French missionaries John Baptist Lamy and Joseph Machebeuf. Inspired by the way the lives of the saints were written in The Golden Legend, in which their martyrdoms are no more emphasized than the trivial events of their lives, the work is "beautifully told in Cather's simple but eloquent style, and is one of the classics of modern American literature", included in the Modern Library's list of 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century. There were three issues of the book: 50 copies on japon, 175 copies on rag paper, and 20,000 trade copies. Octavo. Original cream parchment boards, lettering to spine in gilt, decorations to spine and front cover in gilt, publisher's device to rear cover in gilt, top edge gilt, largely unopened. Publisher's green card slipcase with paper label to spine. Striking bookplate of collector Henry Lewis Batterman Jr, designed by Rockwell Kent, on the front pastedown, touch of glue reside at head, light subsequent offsetting to facing leaf. Bookseller's ticket to rear pastedown. Spine lightly sunned, faint foxing to boards, contents clean and fresh; a beautiful copy.