Four Sons (Mother Bernie Learns Her Letters and Other Stories) by I. A. R. Wylie (1928 1^st Thus HC no DJ)

• Author:                             Ida Alexa Ross Wylie (1885–1959)

• Illustrations:                   William Fox photoplay (Four Sons, 1928)

• Publisher:        Grosset & Dunlap   New York, NY    U.S.A     1928

Story about a Bavarian mother's four sons - one goes to America and the other three, who remain Europe, are killed in the First World War - was made into a tearjerker and big box office success titled "Four Sons" in 1928 by John Ford starring Margaret Mann and James Hall. Illustrated with 1 frontispiece still and 7 interior stills from this William Fox photoplay. 

The movie was remade by Archie Mayo in 1940 under the same title. 

 Her story "Grandmother Bernie Learns Her Letters", was 1st published in the Saturday Evening Post in 1926 and forms basis of those movies.  7 other stories are included in this volume.   

Ida Alexa Ross Wylie (1885–1959), known by her pen name I.A.R. Wylie, was an Australian-British-American novelist, screenwriter, short story writer, poet, and suffragette sympathizer, who was honored by the journalistic and literary establishments of her time, and was known around the world. Between 1915 and 1953, more than thirty of her novels and stories were adapted into films. 

Hardcover has gray cloth boards with navy lettering on front & spine, but no DJ.  Sunburnt spine worn at top & bottom, lightly soiled, but complete.  Interior is tight, clean, and unmarked.

.  • Size: 12mo - over 6¾ - 7¾" tall,      358pp

   • Condition: Good Hardcover, no Dust Jacket – Always privately owned.  1^st Thus

Collection of 8 stories has 6 copyright dates from 1921 through 1928, but no copyright asserted for this book as a collection.  No edition nor printing info found.  1st Thus both as this collection of stories and to capitalize on 1928 film.  No CIP, ISBN, LCCN nor MSR. 

Notes on Condition

Fine – means like new, but any book produced over 10 years ago isn't “brand new” or even “new.” Booksellers needed some word 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.

Very Good – How you or I might take care of a book, closer to “as new” than standard. Might show Peabody, MA    U.S.A. ownership.

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 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. Likely has 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, misprint or even the 1st edition. A collector might desire this copy.