The City and the Pillar : Signed By The Author

The First UK printing published by John Lehmann, London in 1949. The BOOK is in Very Good++ condition with some ghosting to the spine. The gilt decoration and titling to the spine has dulled slightly more-so the publisher's logo at the foot of the spine. Some toning to the text-block and outer page edges due to the quality of paper stock used. Free from inscriptions. The scarce WRAPPER is complete and is in Very Good++ condition with some fading of colouring to the lower spine portion. Mild edge-wear with a little loss at the upper spine and a few nicks. Mild rubbing and creasing in places to the edges. The B.Biro wrapper artwork looks very attractive in the removable Brodart archival cover. The book has been signed (without dedication) by the author to the title page. A very scarce early title from the acclaimed author. 'In 1948 Mr. Vidal published 'The City and the Pillar', which was dedicated to J. T. (Jimmie Trimble). It is what would now be called a coming-out story, about a handsome, athletic young Virginia man who gradually discovers that he is homosexual. By today s standards it is tame and discreet, but at the time it caused a scandal and was denounced as corrupt and pornographic. Mr. Vidal later claimed that the literary and critical establishment, The New York Times especially, had blacklisted him because of the book, and he may have been right. He had such trouble getting subsequent novels reviewed that he turned to writing mysteries under the pseudonym Edgar Box and then, for a time, gave up novel-writing altogether. To make a living he concentrated on writing for television, then for the stage and the movies (NY Times , August 12th 2012). Collectible. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.