Sam's Chance: And How He Improved It by Horatio Alger, Jr. (1876 1st Edition Hardcover without Dust Jacket)
• Author: Horatio Alger, Jr. (1832-1899)
• Publisher: A. K. Loring, Publisher Boston, MA U.S.A. 1876
Sam isn't too much of a goody-two-shoes, like some other Horatio Alger heroes. He even tries to rob his roommate. Then he moves to Boston for a new start and decides to try to become respectable. He walks up Tremont street stopping in all the stores looking for work, slowly learning how to talk to store owners so the answer isn't always "No." Sam stumbles into a great job in the usual Alger way and becomes quite successful.
"Sam's Chance" is a sequel to the "Young Outlaw," and is designed to illustrate the gradual steps by which that young man was induced to give up his bad habits and deserve that prosperity which he finally attains.
The writer confesses to having experienced some embarrassment in writing this story. The story writer always has at command expedients by which the frowns of fortune may be turned into sunshine, and this without violating probability, or, at any rate, possibility; for the careers of many of our most eminent and successful men attest that truth is oftentimes stranger than fiction. But to cure a boy of radical faults is almost as difficult in fiction as in real life. 2pp ads + 271pp.
First Edition points include title listed as III. under Tattered Tom Series, Second Series with IV., blank. Sales receipt of this copy from 1993 laid in.
Although Horatio Alger (1832-1899) attempted adult fiction, he was more comfortable with Boy's Books. Alger's "Ragged Dick" Series, which began in 1867 and was his first real success. Following "Ragged Dick" was the "Tattered Tom" Series (A continuation of the Ragged Dick Series) which was further split into a first and second (sub) series. "Sam's Chance" was the third title in that second series. Alger eventually published something like 100 novels, generally following the same format; most story lines were pretty much interchangeable.
Hardcover has embossed purple cloth boards with gold lettering on spine, but no dust jacket. Top quarter of the exterior has fingerprints, along with spots on top page-edge, which indicates an oil or solvent spill cleaned without damage to text. Corners show wear through cloth. Front end-pages have hand-written selling info, a prior owner signature is marked out on ffep and the front gutter torn but glued. Interior appears complete; text is tight, clean, and unmarked. Pages are white, but beginning to show discoloring from outside toward in. Quarter of rfep torn out, no damage to text or book integrity.
Copyright 1876. First edition points noted above. Printed in U.S.A. by Rockwell & Churchill, Boston. No ISBN nor LCCN. MSR = US $1.25.
Notes on Condition/Edition ratings:
Fine – means like new, but any book produced over 10 years ago isn't “brand new” or even “new.” Using the same term as coin collectors, “can’t guarantee it is uncirculated, but it looks very much like it could be.” Booksellers need similar grading to describe this...
Like New – A new book, no marks no damage (except maybe remainder marks or shelf-wear) except not obtained directly from the publisher or in packaging from the publisher. Same sort of thing about grading as Fine above except generally used for newer publication dates for titles still in print.
Good – How someone else might take care of a book. Also referred to as “standard.” This is the most likely condition for books of this age & title, shows the book has been read or previously owned.
Acceptable – How a young child, student or a librarian might take care of a book. (Either trying to make sure someone doesn't steal it by plastering ownership everywhere, filled it with copious notes or a book that has been damaged.)
Poor – Combination of “acceptable” factors above. Most likely with water damage as well. Might have missing pages (you should ask). Usually requires repair to be usable.
Near – Means “almost” in an optimistic sense. e.g., “Near Fine” means very good, but on the high end.
1st Thus – Unique somehow, maybe 1st paperback, new illustrator, misprint or even the 1st edition. A collector might desire this copy for their collection.
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