First edition. Two volumes. Part one bound in publisher's green cloth, part two bound in publisher's russet cloth, both volumes with gilt titles to the spine and upper cover. The first state of both volumes with Little Women listed at $1.25 in the terminal advert of the first part and no notice for 'Little Women, Part First' on p.iv of the second part. Four engraved plates by May Alcott to the first volume. Four engraved plates to the second volume. An exceptionally nice set. Both volumes bright and clean, the first part exceptionally so with tight hinges and only trivial wear to the spine ends. The second part, neatly recased with minor repairs to the spine ends, but with tight hinges and internally clean. Early bookplate to the front pastedown of each volume, and a small nick from the base of the front endpaper in the second part. A superb set, very seldom encountered so well preserved.

A rare set of first editions of Little Women, both parts in their earliest states.
In May 1868 Alcott's publisher Thomas Niles of Roberts Brothers suggested that she write a "girls story". She wrote in her journal "Never liked girls or knew many, except my sisters; but our queer plays and experiences may prove interesting, though I doubt it."
It was published in October 1868 in an edition of 2,000 copies, all of which were sold by the end of the month. A sequel was not always planned for, and the first volume ends with the words "So grouped the curtain falls upon Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. Whether it ever rises again, depends upon the reception given to the first act of the domestic drama, called 'Little Women'."
The swift sales of the first edition, and an order for a London edition, led Niles to ask Alcott to begin work on a sequel. This she did immediately, and it was submitted to Niles on New Year's Day and was published on 14th April 1869 in an edition, just like the first volume, of 2,000 copies.
It was the publication of this second volume, and the public's appetite to discover what had become of the March girls, that catapulted Little Women to lasting fame. By the end of the month, total sales of both volumes reached 13,000, "doubling in two weeks the six-month's sale of Part One" (Stern).
It is now one of the most sought after first editions of nineteenth century children's books, and copies such as this, in original cloth and nice condition, are decidedly uncommon.

Gulliver pp. 27-30; BAL 158,159

Stock ID: 44238