Possibly the Dedication Copy + Galley Proofs

The Last Circus & The Electrocution [Galleys Set]

Bradbury, Ray

Publication: Northridge, CA: Lord John Press, 1980.

Notes: Three copies of this collection, which prints a previously unpublished story, The Last Circus, and another, The Electrocution, published in a magazine in 1946 under the pseudonym William Elliott. With an 11-page introduction by William Nolan, a four-page afterword by Bradbury, and an illustration by Joe Mugnaini.

This is a set of copies assembled by the collector Tom Garner and housed in one the the most elaborate clamshell boxes he ever commissioned. The box measures 13 by 19 inches, with the galleys unfolded in a custom paper envelope and the books inset into a removable tray. The contents are:

1). Unbound proof sheets (galleys), printed on rectos (front side) only, two pages per 18-by-12-inch sheet. There are three interesting aspects to these galleys. A) The colophon page includes a list of all the printed colophons, including the named presentation copies; B) Bradbury's afterword seems to have been written just about The Last Circus and in these galleys he makes no mention of the second story; in the published version, he adds half a sentence, which suggests that The Electrocution was not part of the original plan (it is included in these galleys, however; it's just not mentioned in Bradbury's essay); C) This is probably the dedication copy, as it is inscribed "For Bruce—with love from his friend Ray Bradbury 5/21/1980." These galleys do not include a dedication page; the published dedication was to Bruce Francis and Donn Albright. I have seen a number of copies of the finished books inscribed by Bradbury on October 25, 1980, which is likely the publication date. These proofs were inscribed months earlier and as Francis helped Herb Yellin with Lord John Press, these proofs were probably inscribed soon after they were printed;

2) A copy of the printed book in the 1/100 binding of black cloth and marbled paper-covered boards; however, there is no limitation page in this copy. The text block is that of the unsigned trade issue;

3) The trade issue, inscribed "For Bruce—Ray Bradbury. Oct. 25, 1980" and then below with "Best, William F. Nolan." Most likely, this is also a dedication copy, although Francis's copy with his name printed on the colophon was sold at PBA Galleries in 2016.

Edition + Condition: The galleys are generally fine but for the first leaf, which has two quarter-sized stains; the black cloth spine of the unsigned 1/100 copy is somewhat faded, as often found; the trade issue is in the jacket with red lettering on yellow (the Ahearns, in their Author Price Guide, call this the first state, but I think they have it backwards; in my experience this is the most commonly seen jacket, and its design matches the label on the slipcases). The book is fine in a near fine jacket, with mild edgewear. Inscribed (as described above).

Item No: #365858

Price: $850