Mary Pickford Movie Stills in Poor Little Rich Girl

Author: Eleanor Gates (1875-1951), novelist and playwright

Description: This is the book that coined the popular phrase "poor little rich girl." Gwendolyn's family is rich, but her parents ignore her and most of the servants push her around, so she is lonely and unhappy. Her father is concerned only with making money, and her mother cares only about her social position. But one day a servant's irresponsibility creates a crisis that causes everyone to rethink what is important to them.

This edition accompanied the release of the 1917 silent silent film The Poor Little Rich Girl, directed by
Maurice Toureur, starring Mary Pickford and released by Artcraft Pictures. (Shirley Temple fans will be interested to see that Pickford played the role first.)

Publishing Photo-Play Editions is a longstanding tradition that started with the very first silent movies and continues today, even though movies are no longer referred to as "photo-plays." It has become common wisdom that movie releases give novels new life. Photo-Play Editions are special because the are illustrated with scenes from the movie, -- favorite actors and action at its dramatic best. They are mass-market editions, easily destroyed and therefore increasingly rare. They are highly collectible, especially for collectors of Silent Era movie memorabilia and associated paper.

Illustrations: 5 half-tone B&W movie-still photo plates on coated paper

Published: Grosset & Dunlap, NY

Binding/cover: Hard cover, cloth bound.

Size: about 5.25 x 7.5; 447 pages, with additional ads for publisher's backlist at the end

Date: no date, probably 1917 (originally published in 1912)

Condition: Good, consistent with age. No dust jacket. The binding is still ok but in delicate condition because the glue is beginning to deteriorate. (Between the frontispiece title page - see photos below - is the only actual separation.)  Spine intact. Cover: good, aesthetically worn, but functionally intact sharp. Pages: very good for cheap paper, no tears, clean.

More rare Photo-Play Editions from our collection will continue to be listed in our store. Check them out. (Shipping discounts on multiple purchases.)

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