New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1923. First edition. 8vo, 107 pp., complete with 12 illustrations after the author's own drawings; black cloth stamped in gilt, black topstain, lacking the dust jacket. Laid in is a publisher's promotional pamphlet for the "16th Season, Fall, 1923." A Near Fine copy of the book, spine faded and gilt dulled, otherwise in excellent condition. Inscribed by the author, "To Dr. Percy S. Grant with real admiration from Khalil Gibran October 1923," (within a month of publication).

Percy Stickney Grant (1860–1927), the "Radical Cleric" was an American Protestant Episcopalian clergyman and associate of Gibran’s in the circle of Greenwich Village luminaries, writers and artists. He became known for his support of Socialism and for his "forum" for the expression of views on labor and living conditions. Grant lived at 7 West 10th only a few doors away from Gibran at 51 West 10th. Pasted to the recto of the second blank in Gibran's hand is the return address from the envelop it was delivered in: “From K. Gibran 51 W. 10th St New York City-” the home where Gibran wrote “The Prophet” and lived the last 20 years of his life.

Gibran is the national poet of Lebanon, the country of his birth, but his reputation is global. Gibran's series of 26 inspirational essays in English prose, each dealing with a separate theme, has never been out of print, has been translated into over 40 languages and has sold over 100 million copies. Based to a large extent on the success of this work, Gibran is credited as the third best-selling poet of all time, behind Shakespeare and Lao-Tzu. With an initial print run of just 1159 copies, first editions are scarce on the market, particularly when signed or inscribed. Near Fine (Item #1367)