Additions to the Library of Henry James Since 1987

The following, alphabetically arranged, is a list of books that have recently turned up as part of Henry James’s library and are not listed in The Library of Henry James, edited by Leon Edel and Adeline R. Tintner (Ann Arbor: UMI, 1987).

1. 1. Gilbert K. Chesterton, Heretics (London: Lane: Bodley, 1906, third edition). Signed on two separate lines “Henry James / Reform Club” on front free end paper in pencil.

2. 2. Lord Ronald Sutherland Gower, F.S.A., The Tower of London, in two volumes (London: Bell, 1901). Many markings with vertical pencil and pen in both volumes, probably made preparatory for writing his book on London in the early 1900s, a book never written. Leon Edel wrote to me, “As for The Tower of London, that looks like H. J.’s writing—but it isn’t the best specimen to judge from & the lines beside the paragraph are like others he drew—but inconclusive. Still the H. J. Jr. (Henry) label is conclusive enough & it certainly belongs with the London Books & is linked with H. J.’s friendship with the woman who was keeper in the Tower . . .” (17 Nov. 1987).

3. 3. William James, A Pluralistic Universe, Hibbert Lectures at Manchester College in The Present Situation in Philosophy (New York: Longmans, 1909) Signed “Henry James / Lamb House / Rye” distributed on three separate lines, on front flyleaf. See Tintner.

4. 4. Sarah Orne Jewett, The Country of Pointed Firs, presentation copy to Henry James inscribed on front free end paper on three separate lines: “To Henry James / These old stories / From his friend the writer.”

5. 5. Rudyard Kipling, The Story of the Gadsbys and Under the Deodars (New York: Lovell, 1891). Sticker on front pasteboard which reads “from the Library of Henry James.”

6. 6. Sir Henry Maine, Popular Government: Four Essays (London: Murray, 1885). Signed “Henry James,” on half title page.

7. 7. The Marquise de La Tour du Pin, Journal d’une Femme de Cinquante Ans (Paris, Librairie Chapelot, 1914, tome 1 and tome 2), paperbound volumes. On the top of the paper cover of tome 1 is written, “Agnes Jekyll from Henry James.” On the inside flyleaf is written, “to Agnes Jekyll her faithful old friend Henry James.”

   Tome 1 is uncut. Tome 2 is cut. One assumes that Henry James read this before he sent it on to Agnes Jekyll, and therefore I consider it part of his library.

8. 8. Edmond Scherer, Melchior Grimm (Paris: Ancien Maison, Michel Lévy Frères, 1887). Signed on the front free end paper on three separate lines, “Henry James / Lamb House / Rye.”

9. 9. I. S. Tourgénief, Virgin Soil. Translated by Ashdon W. Dilke (London: Macmillan, 1878). Signed “H. James, Jr. / 3 Bolton Street / Mayfair” on title page on three separate lines.