Franklin Library Signed First Edition: Depths of Glory by Irving Stone

This listing highlights a distinguished volume of historical biographical fiction: an authentically hand-signed Signed First Edition of Depths of Glory: A Biographical Novel of Camille Pissarro by acclaimed American author Irving Stone. Published in 1985 by The Franklin Library (Franklin Center, Pennsylvania), this heirloom-quality volume was issued exclusively for subscribers to the publisher's prestigious Signed First Edition series, preceding the general trade release.

Renowned as a master of the biographical novel with works like Lust for Life and The Agony and the Ecstasy, Stone spent decades rigorously researching the lives of iconic artistic figures. In Depths of Glory, he turns his empathetic, meticulous narrative gaze to Camille Pissarro—the gentle, steadfast patriarch of Impressionism. Set against the vibrant, tumultuous backdrop of 19th-century Paris and the French countryside, the novel chronicles Pissarro's unyielding artistic vision, his friendship and mentorship with contemporaries such as Monet, Cézanne, Degas, and Renoir, and his relentless struggle against poverty and institutional rejection. Through painstaking historical detail, Stone brings to life both the intimate personal sacrifices and the monumental revolutionary aesthetic movement that transformed modern art forever.

Bound in full genuine crimson leather, this deluxe edition is richly decorated with elaborate gilt borders and filigree tooling stamped on both covers and spine. The spine features raised hubs, a gilded title panel, and "SIGNED FIRST EDITION" stamped near the top. Traditional fine press details include all-edge gilding, silk moiré endpapers, and a sewn-in crimson satin ribbon marker. Signed directly on a blank preliminary flyleaf by Irving Stone in bold blue ink, this pristine, well-preserved volume stands as an exemplary centerpiece for collectors of fine leather bindings, biographical literature, and art history fiction.

Edition & Special Presentation Specifications

• FRANKLIN LIBRARY SIGNED FIRST EDITION: Published in Franklin Center, Pennsylvania in 1985 by The Franklin Library; printed and bound exclusively for subscribers prior to the trade edition.

• LUXURIOUS FINE LEATHER BINDING: Bound in full genuine crimson leather featuring elaborate 22kt gold cover borders and spine ornamentation, raised spine hubs, full edge gilding, moiré endpapers, and a ribbon marker.

• SPECIAL PRE-TRADE ISSUE: Specially produced with custom typography and archival acid-neutral paper designed to endure for generations.

Autograph Specifications & Provenance

• HAND-SIGNED BY IRVING STONE: Authentically autographed in bright blue ink by Irving Stone directly on the special preliminary signature leaf.

• EXCELLENT COLLECTIBLE CONDITION: Outstanding state; tight, square binding, radiant gold cover tooling, clean lustrous gilded edges, and clean, unread interior leaves.