The Bastard [Signed, With Interesting Inscription]

New York: Heron Press, 1929. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. 199 pp + illustrations, with frontispiece. A hors commerce copy from the special edition of 200 printed on American Handcraft paper, bound in balloon cloth, and signed by author and illustrator on limitation page. Rather than being numbered, this copy is designated "B" and was presumably an author's presentation copy, as it is additionally inscribed (without salutation) "with best wishes for a successful year with the N.Y. Soc. for Sup. of Vice / from [name uncertain] and myself / Erskine Caldwell." It seems likely that this inscription dates from a few years after the publication date. (truncated) Although The Bastard was successfully banned for obscenity in Caldwell's adopted home town of Portland, Maine, it was not until 1933, with the publication of God's Little Acre, that he became a target of the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice. Apparently the recipient of this copy didn't care to actually read the book, as many of the pages remain unopened. Mild sunning to spine, one small blemish to upper corner of front board, otherwise minimal wear; in a protective mylar cover. (Inventory #: 2999)