Little Men, by Louisa May Alcott
Roberts Brothers, Boston. [1871]
First American Edition
16mo. (i-viii), <1>-376. Frontispiece and three plates (all present). 
Hardcover with terra-cotta cloth covered boards. Gilt lettering and vignette on spine and cover.   [BAL 167].
 
Good/Very Good Condition.
 
Condition Notes: 
A beautiful copy, this volume is in Good/Very Good condition. The terracotta cloth remains unfaded suggesting this book was carefully stored out of sunlight. 
Shelf wear to the top of the spine with some wrinkling to cloth at the top with loss of gilt along top edge decor line.  The other gilt on the spine is bright and clean and beautifully readbale. Bottom of the spine, there is wear on the very bottom line of gilt making it look white. (This is noticeable only on very close inspection). 
Some bumping to all board corners with small amount of board exposure on all four corners (minimal but present).  Front cover: two black scuff line marks near the top of the cover. Please see photo. A few spots of rubbing to front and back cover. 
 
Inside: Chocolate Endpapers. Four pages of ads.
This book may have been a gift to someone on Christmas Day in 1871 as the front fly leaf has a prior owners name, "L[unreadable] Benedict. L.J.B.  25th Dec. 1871". 
The binding is very good. A few places of cosmetic expsoure of the hinges but not altering structure, particularly noted in the center of the book. (Please see the photo showing Chapter VIII).  
 
Overall, a lovely copy of this first edition of LITTLE MEN.