A national bestseller when first published in 1901, Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch endures today as one of the most memorable literary creations by the Kentucky author Alice Caldwell Hegan Rice (1870-1942). Tale of the ever optimistic Mrs. Wiggs and her family struggling against all odds in the Cabbage Patch, an old Louisville slum "where ramshackle cottages played hop-scotch over the railroad tracks."  

First the cheerful and kind Mrs. Nancy Wiggs, who does her best to help out her equally poor neighbors - even when she doesn't have enough food and coal for her own kids. She's assisted in supporting the family by fifteen-year-old son Jim (target of prejudice), brother Billy (an ordinary mischievous kid), and the three girls are chiefly notable for their names: Asia, Australia, and Europena.   An early focus on the human face of urban poverty.  

There were at least two, possibly three movies made from this story before 1940.  The 1st was a silent film. The best remembered version was a talkie starring W.C. Fields, circa 1934.  

Small (12mo - over 6¾ - 7¾" tall, 153pp) hardcover has green cloth boards with cream, black and red ink designs and lettering, but no DJ.  Page-edge smooth on top and deckled otherwise.  Cover shows only shelf wear at edges and still has square corners.  Interior is tight, clean and text  is unmarked.  POS on front paste-down, a few pages have smudged fingerprints.  Condition:  Very Good plus.  

Copyright 1901 by The Century Co., printed by the De Vinne Press.  This copy from the 1st edition, but stated from 14th printing in August, 1902 (1st printing was in July, 1901).   Tremendous sales reception to have an average of more than one print-run per month in the 1st 13 months of issue.  No ISBN, LCCN nor MSR. 


Notes on Condition/Edition:


Fine – means like new, but any book produced over 10 years ago isn't “brand new”. Needed some word to say

this...


Very Good – How you or I might take care of a book, closer to “as new” than standard.


Good – How you might take care of a book. Also referred to as “standard.” The most likely condition

for books of this age, shows the book has been read or previously owned.


Acceptable – How a 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).


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 or even the 1st edition. A collector

might desire this copy.



Thanks for looking!