It's Who You Associate With (Chapter Two)

"What a sweet book."  An "older" woman was holding a book by James Whitcomb Riley called A Child-World.  Back in 1896 when this book was published Riley was a household name, and when you admitted to reading poetry, it was often James Whitcomb Riley who held your attention.  A Child-World is a recollection of things childish, remembering in 1896 how it was in the old days.

This particular edition she had in her hands was "Limited to one hundred copies" and signed by the poet himself in a very small hand with Whitcomb embellished by a very swirly crossing of the T.

"Here, let me show you something interesting about this book."  I opened it to the back where was written, "This is my mother's, Mrs. Eugene Field, own copy of A Child Word" and signed Eugene Field II Sept. 4 - 1921

This fellow was the son of the Eugene Field who wrote children's poetry, long ago committed to memory.  (The Land of Counterpane - When I was sick and lay abed I had two pillows at my head..."  I suppose one of the reasons it is not read today is the vocabulary.  How many people remember that a counterpane was your quilt or bedspread - I just looked it up to make sure.) 

Eugene II, famously known as Pinny, is infamously known for signing (forging) "Eugene Field" on all of daddy's books.  Here he mis-spells World, and writes an awkward sentence, besides.

The book had been bound in red silk which apparently rotted away, so the former owner saved the still fine front silk panel with the gilt picture and decorations and had it put onto a new cloth binding.

Yes, a pleasant Association copy.  You remember - a book previously owned and signed by someone else of significance. (Click for more from the Titles Inc. blog about association copies.)

Which reminds me of another Association copy - this one a triple.  It is an early paperback by Upton Sinclair called The Fasting Cure.  As it says on the cover, "In this book the author tells how he regained his own health by fasting..."  Although it came out in 1911, the shop copy is 1923.  Tucked in is a typed letter signed by Upton Sinclair to James Jones.  He says he is planning to write volume VIII of the Lanny Budd series, and hopes his book The Fasting Cure is beneficial, wishing James Jones success in his new book.

The new book referred to is From Here to Eternity.  James Jones has written his own name in the Fasting book. 

The third association is the next owner I got it from, the famous photographer Art Shay, who photographed James Jones for Life magazine. Jones pressed the book on Art at the farewell party before Jones moved to Paris.  (Actually, I was there too. And more impressed by the musical theater writing couple Adolph Green and Betty Comden.  Not that they were being scintillating, no, Adolph had a little dog up to his face and he was kiss kiss kissing it all evening.) I suppose Art Shay should add his name to the book legitimizing this third ownership. 

As for The Fasting Cure, the frontispiece shows a before photo of Sinclair described as "spiritual" and a second shot showing "the athletic figure" evolved from systematic fasting.  Of course he looks wonderful in the before picture.  Younger, too.

Oh shoot.  The front paper cover just came off from all this opening and closing.  I always admonish, "Do not touch your books!"  Now you see why.  Darn.

-- Florence