Description :

The 1903 "Japanese Edition": This copy is the 1903 Japanese Edition, which was newly reset, beautifully decorated in the Art Nouveau style, and illustrated for the first time by C. Yarnell Abbott. Because new illustrative and design content was added, publishers registered a new copyright date of 1903 alongside the original 1897 copyright.

​First Edition Status: While booksellers sometimes loosely term a book's first appearance with specific illustrations as a "first illustrated edition," technically, this is the First Printing of the 1903 Japanese Edition published in October 1903 (stated as MCMIII on the title page).

A distinguished and exceedingly scarce 1903 edition of Madame Butterfly by John Luther Long, the foundational narrative that inspired Puccini’s iconic opera. Issued by The Century Co., New York, this Japanese Edition features exquisite lotus‑blossom gilt decoration and stylized water motifs emblematic of early 20th‑century Japonisme.

This copy is elevated far beyond standard first editions by its provenance: it is hand‑inscribed by both the author, John Luther Long, and the illustrator, C. Yarnall Abbott, dated May 1915. Dual‑signed examples are virtually unknown in the market, marking this volume as a true presentation‑level rarity. The binding remains fairly clean and vibrant, with top edge gilt, rough‑cut pages, and average spine wear consistent with age.

A remarkable convergence of American literature, operatic history, and decorative book arts—an exceptional opportunity for advanced collectors seeking a signature‑bearing first edition of one of the most influential stories of the early modern era.

1. True First Book Edition (1903) Even though the story was copyrighted in 1897, the first time it appeared as a standalone book was 1903. That’s the edition we have here.

2. “Japanese Edition” = Decorative Style, Not Printing Location Collectors prize this edition for its lotus‑blossom gilt cover, stylized water motifs, and early 20th‑century Japonisme design.

3. Dual Signatures (Author + Illustrator) This is the major value driver. Signed Long copies are already scarce. Signed Abbott copies are even rarer. Signed by both? Extremely uncommon.

This moves this copy from “collectible literature” into “presentation‑level rarity.”

4. Connection to Puccini’s Opera Anything tied to the source material for Madama Butterfly has strong cross‑market appeal: opera collectors, literary collectors, and decorative‑arts collectors.

 Estimated Value Range: In a specialized antiquarian market, a dual-signed association copy from 1915 carries a strong premium. It could easily command $250 to $450+ to the right collector of early 20th-century literature, drama history, or Puccini/Madame Butterfly memorabilia, especially given the witty matching commentary Abbott added underneath Long's inscription.