New York Society Library

250TH ANNIVERSARY

James Fenimore Cooper
Tales for Fifteen
(1823)


NYSL:  James Fenimore Cooper

When the author of these little tales commenced them, it was her intention to form a short series of such stories, as it was hoped, might not be entirely without moral advantage." These comments composed in 1822 by one Jane Morgan were, in fact, written by the young novelist James Fenimore Cooper to help his financially troubled publisher.

Of Imagination, the story of a young girl whose romantic imagination runs wild, Cooper remembered writing it "one rainy day, half asleep and half awake." Still, he remained fond of Tales for Fifteen. Some years later, he bought a copy for his eldest daughter Susan from a newsstand in New York City.

Only two copies remain of this now rare publication.


250th Anniversary > Exhibitions > Main Page