Woman Writer, Woman Protagonist, Woman Owner

THE HISTORY OF CRAZY JANE

By Sarah Wilkinson, with frontispiece by Thomas Bewick

1818

Second edition of this tragic story of a woman driven mad by a scheming lover, owned by author and socialite Dorothy Una Ratcliffe.

Very good plus.

Price: $250.00

THE HISTORY OF CRAZY JANE

"When the time elapsed for Henry's return, the youth came not. Jane's anguish was insupportable; her family was alarmed at her pallid looks."

CRAZY JANE was Sarah Wilkinson's "most frequently reprinted work," and is a prime example of her literary focus on "the plight of women victimized for sexual failings" (OXFORD DICTIONARY OF NATIONAL BIOGRAPHY). Wilkinson, who wrote over 50 chapbook romances and operated a circulating library, was also known for her gothic fiction: Marshall B. Tymn calls her "one of the most productive and gifted of female fiend-mongers" (171). The love interest of CRAZY JANE is certainly such a fiend: after coercing Jane into a sexual encounter with promises of marriage, he abandons her.
Author and editor Dorothy Una Ratcliffe, who owned this copy of CRAZY JANE in the early 20th century, had direct experience with a similar kind of fiend. Unable to have children due to a venereal disease contracted from her philandering husband, she was further unable to divorce him as it would reflect poorly on his aristocratic family. A compelling title with interesting provenance.

Read more: The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, "Wilkinson, Sarah Scudgell"; Marshall B. Tymn, Horror Literature: A Core Collection and Reference Guide; Gumuchian, Les Livres de l'Enfance, item 5841; Thomas Hugo, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Works of Thomas and John Bewick, item 276.

The Object

Alnwick: W. Davison, 1818. 5.5'' x 3.5''. Modern blue cloth binding with gilt spine lettering. Original brown printed wrapper. Engraved frontispiece and pictorial title page, with three full-page wood engraved plates. 40 pages. Bookplate of Dorothy Una Ratcliffe (D. U. R.) to front pastedown.

The Fine Print

We work hard to meet our ethical responsibility to describe our material accurately. All items are guaranteed as described and may be returned for any reason within 30 days. Please notify us before mailing a return.

We guarantee the authenticity of our items. All materials are original (meaning not facsimiles or reproductions) unless otherwise noted. First editions (meaning first edition, first printing) are explicitly stated. TPM is a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America and upholds their Code of Ethics.

All photographs are of the actual item for sale. We're happy to provide additional images on request.

All domestic orders ship gratis. For orders under $250, free USPS media mail shipping is included; orders $250 and over ship USPS Priority. International orders over $500 also ship gratis. Expedited, overnight, as well as other carriers (UPS, Fed-Ex, etc.), may carry additional costs beyond quoted rates. All orders receive tracking information and a direct contact in case of any questions.

International buyers are responsible for any customs, taxes, and related import fees. Please note that we are unable to accomodate requests to misrepresent, misdeclare, or otherwise falsify customs documents when shipping internationally. We appreciate your understanding.

We accept all major credit cards, Paypal, Venmo, check, money order, and bank wire. We are happy to bill institutional buyers' needs. Sales tax will be added to applicable purchases. Items subject to prior sale.

If for any reason you are dissatisfied with your purchase, please contact us. We prioritize our long-term relationships far above any individual purchase, and we want you to love your item as much as we loved cataloguing it.

Add to Cart Ask a Question

More by Sarah Wilkinson, Thomas Bewick