|
Doubleday, New York, 1964, Stated First Edition. Boldly SIGNED and inscribed at the ffep, in his characteristic printed script " to x & y Love, From Willie The Lion & Lady Jane" [The Lion has also signed for his companion to whom the book is dedicated]. One of the most colourful of all jazz memoirs by the great pianist, composer, Cantor(!), astrologer and self- mythologizer, who by 1964 was the last surviving giant of the Harlem Stride Piano School. Although co-author Hoefer's 'Interludes' between chapters attempt to introduce some historical perspective, it is The Lion's wonderful, rambling memoir that brings a lost world back to life. In grey cloth boards, near fine, touch of fading to board edges, age toning to text block, slight compression to spine ends, silver gilt spine titles over black and red panels are clean and bright, tightly bound, pages are crisp, unmarked. In an unclipped dust jacket, original price of $4.95 to front flap, rubbing to panel edges, light chipping to spine ends and fore corners, top edge of rear flap is slightly creased, else very good + . Increasingly uncommon title, very scarce book signature of one of the early jazz piano masters, in collectible condition. J1545
|
