Signed book: The Emperor Jones. Limited signed first edition of 775 copies (this copy No. 172). NY: Boni & Liveright, 1928. Hardcover, 7.75 x 10.25, 90 pages. Signed in ink on the limitation page. In fine condition, with some light toning to inside pages. The dustjacket shows light rippling and soiling from moisture exposure, and chipping, paper loss, and sunning to the spine.
Published in July 1928, this edition is made even more desirable by the fact that while 775 copies were produced, only 750 were offered for sale. The following year, the book’s publishers issued an illustrated edition for $10, and engaged Alexander King to illustrate the volume based on drawings he had made while traveling in Africa. He later illustrated special editions of The Hairy Ape and Anna Christie. King appears to have lost favor with O’Neill over time. He purportedly wasn’t satisfied with King’s illustrations for Anna Christie and was offended when the artist claimed to be dying of kidney cancer in 1931 and hoped to work on O’Neill’s sympathies as he slowly worked on Lazarus Laughed. Miraculously, King survived with his “cancer” until 1965, even gaining a certain level of notoriety in the late 1950s as a frequent guest on The Tonight Show with Jack Paar, where he regaled audiences with stories of his Bohemian lifestyle. Despite O’Neill’s ultimate thoughts on King, the author must have respected his work nonetheless, as he would go on to illustrate subsequent special editions. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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