Deciding between two antiquarian collectible books goes beyond comparing prices. On one side is a hardcover of William James's "Psychology," a briefer course from the American Science Series that covers the senses, brain structure, and other core topics in psychology. It is an abridged version of his larger *Principles of Psychology* and includes multiple line drawings. On the other side is a 19th-century original novel by M. Caroll-the pseudonym of Martha Brooks-about a young girl helping her family through hard times. The novel tells a story of determination, with the protagonist, Marjorie, taking on odd jobs and small business efforts. Both books are English-language hardcovers, neither is signed or personalized, and they sit at distinct price points. Which one deserves a place in your collection?
Quick verdict: The William James volume is the lower-priced choice and a substantial piece of intellectual history, ideal if your collecting focus is psychology or science and medicine. The M. Caroll novel is a higher-priced but original 19th-century fiction piece with a strong narrative about a determined young girl. Your decision comes down to whether you want a foundational text or a story-driven original.
| Feature | William James's "Psychology" (1913) | The 1874 M. Caroll Novel |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 9.50 | USD 40.00 |
| Author | William James | M. Caroll (Martha Brooks) |
| Year printed | 1913 | 1874 |
| Publisher | Henry Holt | Lee and Shepard Publishers |
| Subject | Psychology (Science & Medicine) | Fiction (novel) |
| Binding | Hardcover | Hardcover |
Where the William James book wins The James title costs significantly less while offering a broad textbook overview of psychology from a renowned Harvard psychologist. It's part of the American Science Series, Briefer Course, and includes multiple line drawings. The physical book is in very good condition, with pencil marks on only a few pages, making it a strong choice for a collector focused on psychology or early 20th-century science publishing. If you want a compact reference that reflects the state of psychology a century ago, this is the volume to reach for.
Where the M. Caroll novel wins The novel is an original fiction piece, not an abridgement, and it tells a story with a clear theme: a young girl supporting her family through tough times by taking on odd jobs and small business efforts. If you value narrative and the character of Marjorie's determination, this is the more story-driven collectible. It also comes from a Boston publisher (Lee and Shepard) and represents a slice of 19th-century American fiction. For a reader who enjoys historical novels, the book offers a look at a young protagonist's resourcefulness in an earlier era.
Antiquarian collectible book: "Psychology," by William James, 1913
This volume is a compact version of William James's larger *Principles of Psychology*. It covers sight, hearing, touch, and brain structure, which makes it a useful collectible for readers interested in the early science of the mind. The line drawings supplement the text. One caveat: a few pages carry pencil marks, so the interior is not completely clean. For a collector who wants a scholarly piece of psychology history, this 1913 edition provides a tangible link to James's teaching legacy.
The 1874 M. Caroll Novel
This is an original novel written under a pseudonym, and the plot focuses on Marjorie, a young girl who does odd jobs to help her family. The story is one of determination and small business efforts, giving it a social-historical character. It's not signed or personalized. One drawback: the listing's generic title doesn't hint at the novel's story, so you'll want to keep the description handy. If you appreciate 19th-century fiction about resourceful heroines, this book offers that charm.
Final choice by use case For a psychology collection or a lower-priced antiquarian buy, the William James "Psychology" at $9.50 is the straightforward pick. For a story-driven 19th-century original with a determined young protagonist, the M. Caroll novel at $40 is the one to choose.
