Blood and Grits [First + Proof]

Crews, Harry

Publication: New York: Harper & Row, 1979. First Edition.

Notes: A collection of essays that mostly first appeared in Playboy or Esquire.

Included here are an inscribed copy of the first edition and an inscribed copy of the uncorrected proof. These books came from the collection of Crews's friend and fan, Tom Garner, who obtained many inscribed books over the years. This pair is housed in one of Garner's distinct black-cloth clamshell boxes.

The first edition is inscribed, "For Tom—Blood in your grits will put grit in your craw. Fight on—Sabers out! Harry Crews." The edition was 6,500 copies, according to the Ahearns' bibliography.

The proof, reproducing the typeset text and bound in red wrappers (6-1/4 by 8-1/4 inches), is inscribed, "For Tom, take it light, Harry Crews."

Edition + Condition: First edition (first printing, with a numberline ending in 1). The first edition is near fine (light spotting on the top edge) in a fine dust jacket; a PR photo of Crews issued for this title, is laid in. The proof is near fine, with sticker residue at the bottom of both wrappers from where a seal was removed.