The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze

New York: Random House, 1934. Design by Ernst Reichi. Hardcover in dj. 8vo (8.5” x 5”), white cloth covers, black cloth spine, 2.5” gilt band with title crossing over spine onto covers. 270 pp. Presentation inscription by the author on the flyleaf, decorative bronze on title p. [6] CONDITION: Very good, bit of foxing to covers; dj good, darkened spine and edges, small losses to spine one affecting lettering in title, some chipping to corners and edges. First edition of Saroyan’s first book, inscribed as follows: ”To Grace Stone Coates, from William Saroyan: San Francisco. August 1934. Dear Grace: I do not know what to say, or how. This: not giving: perhaps (truncated) returning. Anyway, in our time we have spoken together from a room in California to a room in Montana: and sometimes without words. I do not feel proud of this book. Of William Saroyan, a little, since he became nearly what he wished to become, though God alone knows why. Since he refused death, one way or another. As always, smiling, good wishes: Will.”

Recipient Grace Stone Coates (1881–1976) was a Midwestern author, teacher, and historian notable for her stories about nineteenth century American women. (Inventory #: 5960)