Extraordinarily scarce first edition, first printing of Harriet Beecher Stowe's ''Uncle Tom's Cabin'', in the publisher's wrappers binding ''A'', the rarest of the three variants of the first printing. Boston: John P. Jewett, 1852. Two volumes, as issued, with three plates in each volume by Hammett Billings, priced at $1.00 for both volumes. All other first printing points are present: ''spilt'' instead of ''spiled'' on page 42, line 1 of Vol. I; ''cathecism'' instead of ''catechism'' on page 74, line 5 of Vol. II; no attribution to Billings for the engravings; no other printings designated on the title page of either volume; with the following statements on the copyright page: ''Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1851, by Harriet Beecher Stowe'' and ''Stereotyped by Hobart & Robbins''.

Published on 20 March 1852 after first appearing in serialized form, the first printing of 5,000 copies of ''Uncle Tom's Cabin'' sold out within a few days, and the second printing by the end of March. Included in ''Books That Changed America'', the author Robert Downs stated of it, ''Within a decade after its publication Uncle Tom's Cabin had become the most popular novel ever written by an American...there is substantial evidence that the book precipitated the American Civil War.'' And from PMM, the catalog of the most influential books ever written: ''In the emotion charged atmosphere of mid-19th century America Uncle Tom's Cabin exploded like a bombshell. To those engaged in fighting slavery it appeared as an indictment of all the evils inherent in the system they opposed; to the pro-slavery forces it was a slanderous attack on 'the Southern way of life'...the social impact of on the United States was greater than that of any book before or since.''

Volumes measure 4.625'' x 7.375'' housed in blue clamshell cases and a custom slipcase. With provenance from famed dermatologist and collector Paul E. Bechet, with his library labels, causing shadowing to title pages. Spines of both volumes repaired, with some paper loss, more so on Vol. II with that back cover replaced. Light toning, wear and soiling. Overall a very good set.