THE LITTLE MINISTER by BARRIE, J.M - 1891

London: Cassell. 1891. First printing. Hardcover. Three volumes, original light brown cloth, spines gilt lettered, yellowish patterned endpapers. pp [3], (iii)-viii, 232, (16, Sept. 1891, catalogue); [2], (iii)-viii, 239; [2], viii, 232. All half-titles and initial blanks present. Spines darkened with moderate rubbing at ends; 9 x 6 cm shadow of removed label to upper front cover of each volume; bit of darkening, light marks to covers; books a mite leaned; inner hinges partially or wholly cracked but all still firm; shallow chip to top edge of front blank of volume II. In all, still a VG copy, no internal lending library marks nor owner names. Housed in an old slipcase of quarter brown morocco and brown cloth with a cloth chemise. The spine gilt lettered with raised bands, with uneven darkened and crackling to the leather, scuffing to the bottom edge, VG otherwise. First issue, with the earliest ads ("5G.9.91" ). Sadler 167. Cutler 25. THE LITTLE MINISTER was the first of his three "Thrums" novels, set in a Scottish weaving town based on his native Kirriemuir, and was his first commercial success. " Set in rural 1840s Scotland, the plot focuses on labor and class issues while telling the story of Gavin Dishart, a staid cleric newly assigned to Thrums' Auld Licht church, and Babbie, a member of the nobility who disguises herself as a gypsy girl in order to interact freely with the local villagers and protect them from her guardian, Lord Rintoul, who wants to keep them under his control. Initially the conservative Dishart is appalled by the feisty girl, but he soon comes to appreciate her inner goodness. Their romantic liaison scandalizes the townspeople, and the minister's position is jeopardized until Dishart's heroism stuns and transforms the hearts of the local villagers." - Wikipedia. Basis of an 1897 play version, five silent film versions, and the classic "talkie" of 1934 starring a young, gorgeous Katherine Hepburn. ; Octavo .