The Blessing Way.

NY, Harper & Row, 1970, first edition, first printing.. This is the ultimate copy of Author's First Book, it is an Inscribed Presentation/Association Copy of the highest order, inscribed by Hillerman to Navajo artist Ernest Franklin who went on to create a cottage industry wherein he illustrated many of Hillerman's titles in an after-market situation where individuals brought him copies of Hillerman's books for Franklin to illustrate, the vast majority of such books include just one illustration by Franklin, this one has 30 (!) illustrations by Franklin in addition to Hillerman's doubly signed inscription ("with my thanks to/Ernie Franklin/for showing me/what Leaphorn/looks like/TH"), the inscription is on the title page, Hillerman has additionally signed his full name under his printed signature on the title page, Joe Leaphorn is the Navajo tribal policeman created by Hillerman with this book (and who appears in many of his subsequent books) who solves the mysteries that Hillerman created, there is one small black ink drawing, 18 quarter-page black ink drawings, one full-page black illustration, and 10 full-page color illustrations, the book has been re-bound in full black leather with four raised bands on the spine, with gilt rules and decorations on front and back covers, spine with gilt rules, decorations, a title/author panel in gilt, and date of publication panel also in gilt, now housed in a custom clamshell case. Fine.