Description: The Potiphar Papers, G W Curtis, 1854, G P Putnam. - This is a 1st or 2nd edition; copyright 1953. - from internet: "This brilliant satire on New York society was published in 1856 (?), and is still read, though it has partly lost its point owing to changed conditions. The papers are something in the manner of Addison’s satires on the pretensions and insincerities of society; but at times the bitterness becomes more scathing, and reminds one of Thackeray in its merciless analysis of folly and ignorance. The writer divides the society of which he speaks into three classes: the newly rich, who have acquired wealth but not culture; the descendants of the old families, who make the glory of their ancestors serve instead of any manliness or worth of their own; and the dancing youths into whose antecedents or characters nobody inquires, so long as they enliven the ball-rooms, and constitute eligible partners for the young ladies. A description is given of Mrs. Potiphar’s ball, where dresses are ruined by careless waiters, and drunken young fellows destroy valuable property, and hosts and guests are thoroughly miserable while pretending to enjoy the occasion. In the account of the Potiphars in Paris we see how wealthy Americans, when lacking innate breeding and refinement, make themselves ridiculous in the eyes of foreigners. The gilded youth of the day, as well as the shallow and flippant women, are held up to derision, while our sympathies are aroused by the poor, toiling, unaspiring fathers, who are not strong enough to make a stand for their rights. In reading these papers we can only be glad that the persons described by the author are no longer typical of American society. One of the enduring characters is the Rev. Cream Cheese, who sympathetically advises with Mrs. Potiphar as to the color of the cover of her prayer-book." Condition:Good Condition for this antique hdbk. Cover shows general age-fading and minor or greater edge and surface wear. A little bubbling of fabric from cover board in back. Gold lettering on spine mostly visible. Cover has been touched up. No owner name found inside. Binding/hinges are solid/tight. Mild age-tanning to all paper. Engravings all have foxing on them and on facing page. Interior is otherwise clean...almost no sign of wear. Collectible. * we package very well!
Price: 46.88 USD
Location: Rancho Cordova, California
End Time: 2025-01-07T21:07:11.000Z
Shipping Cost: 4 USD
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Restocking Fee: 10%
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All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
