Kurt Vonnegut's Copy

Fire in the Nuts [Artist's Proof]

Thompson, Hunter S. and Ralph Steadman

Publication: Woody Creek; Loose Valley; BlueGrass; and High Desert: Gonzo International; Steam Press; Petro III Graphics; and Sylph Publications, 2004. First Edition.

Notes: A limited edition of an early and previously unpublished semi-autobiographical short story about a struggling writer living in Greenwich Village, which Thompson wrote when he was a struggling writer living in New York City. Illustrated in typically exuberant style by Steadman. The final pages of the book are a sexually explicit suite of images by Steadman titled Reeperbahn: Sex Red Light District, Hamburg."

The book is bound in black cloth and illustrated paper over boards, with a leather spine label stamped in gilt. The book is accompanied by a slipcase commissioned by the printer, Joe Petro, to match the cloth spine of the book.

51 pages.

Edition + Condition: First edition (first printing). A fine hardcover copy; no dust jacket, as issued. This copy, numbered "A/P" for Artist's Proof, is signed by both Thompson and Steadman. Steadman additionally inscribed this copy to Kurt Vonnegut, "For Kurt [drawing], We sweated to protect your investment. Woody Creek. 7 Oct. 2004." Laid into this copy is the screenprint, "The Brain of Hunter S. Thompson," which was included with the lettered issue of the book. The print is also an A/P copy, signed by Steadman and also inscribed, "For Kurt Vonnegut—the only—from Ralph Steadman. Basalt. 5 March 2005."

I asked Joe Petro about this copy and he said he thought Vonnegut had given it to one of his daughters, who lives in Los Angeles (where this copy came from). I asked her about it and she said it hadn't belonged to her. Vonnegut sometimes sold books to collectors and I'm guessing that's what happened here.

Item No: #365892

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