The Story of Shep: Written by His Mistress.
Chicago: 4316 Greenwood Avenue, 1912. Hardcover. 8vo. White cloth spine with black lettering and grey paper over boards with paper label, pictorial dust jacket. 105pp. Frontispiece, numerous full-page plates. Fine/very good. Jacket lightly edgeworn along the top (only) and overall a bit age toned and darkened. Item #44164
First and only edition, limited to 1000 numbered copies (this #180) of this bizarrity by this famed, influential and colorful Chicago etcher and photographer (1863-1941). Likely the many photographs that fill it are by her, though not so noted. Interestingly, she inscribes and signs the front flyleaf of this copy in brown ink to a fellow member of an organization she helped found, the Chicago Society of Etchers: "To Wallace L. DeWolf -- / In appreciation for his / charming book of rhymes. / Bertha E. Jaques / October / 1921." DeWolf (1854-1930) was a noted Chicago attorney remembered as much as an artist, art benefactor and philanthropist. Stunning condition, as the mildly worn jacket did its job and kept the volume tight and pristine. Scarce, especially in such primo condition and in the jacket -- and inscribed copies are rarely seen.
Price: $250.00