NY: The William-Frederick Press, 1956. 91pp; b&w illus. Sewn in illustrated wraps. Toning to perimeters; soft crease to upper fore-corner of front cover; two pages with thumb-soiling. Very good. Signed and inscribed (twice) by Purdy to front flyleaf. Presentation copy of the first book by American novelist, playwright, and poet James Purdy (1914-2009), a collection of short stories illustrated with drawings by the author. Inscribed by Purdy in year of publication to poet and novelist Kenneth Patchen (1911-1972), with "sincere best wishes." This copy apparently returned to Purdy after Patchen's death, as it also bears a brief later inscription ("love") from Purdy to his close friend, pianist and composer Richard [Hundley] (1931-2018), who set to music many poems by both Purdy and Patchen. A nice copy with a particularly rich chain of association.
