Description
The first edition of The Memoirs of a Shy Pornographer, signed by Kenneth Patchen, from the library of Pulitzer Prize winning poet, Karl Shapiro.
Octavo, [7], 8-242pp, [2]. Black cloth, title stamped in gilt on spine. No additional printings noted. Dampstain to lower quarter, evident on endpapers, minimal impact to text block. Rubbing to tips, wear to gilt on spine, dust along top of text block. Previous ownership embossed stamp on title page. In the publisher’s first state dust jacket, $3.00 on front flap, light sunning to spine, shelf wear, splits along hinges with archival tape repair, bright illustrations. (Morgan A7a)
This copy is from the library of American poet, Karl Shapiro, with his ownership signature on the front free endpaper. Signed on the title page by Kenneth Patchen.
Memoirs of a Shy Pornographer by Kenneth Patchen is a satirical novel first published in 1945 that blends absurdist humor, surrealism, and social critique. The book follows the narrator, Alfred Budd, who presents himself as a “shy pornographer” but is more of a meek and introverted character caught in a bizarre and chaotic world.
