Gem of the Prairie [with] Proof Copy Signed by Herbert Asbury first edition 1940
ASBURY, Herbert
Gem of the Prairie [with] Proof Copy.
New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1940
8vo., purple cloth-backed pictorial boards, printed in brown, and showing various scenes including a street after dark, a ‘crap game’ and others; spine at one time lettered and decorated in gilt (now dulled); upper edge stained red, else untrimmed; in the unclipped striped dustwrapper ($3.50 net), printed in red, green and black; pp. [xviiii], 4-377, [i], i-xix [index], [iii]; with frontis photograph and a further 25 illustrations, some in text; one folding; boards rubbed at edges; with scuffing to paper stock at bottom edge; spine faded to brown, with pushed tips and one small tear at head; the odd spot; but else a very good example; the dustwrapper shelf darkened and rubbed at folds; also very good.
First edition of a work concerning the Chicago Underworld. This copy inscribed by the author to Henry La Cossitt, a newspaper and magazine broadcaster, “with highest regards”, and dated June 15 ‘44. La Cossitt was a newspaper correspondent, writer, radio commentator and editor of Colliers Magazine, where he worked for two years expanding the scope of the readership, and was described in one Times Magazine article as ‘Big-shouldered’ and ‘vigorous’.
[together with Proof Copy]
8vo., buff covers, printed in maroon to upper; lettered by hand to spine; stamped ‘Sample Copy’ to the upper edge; pp. [xxi], 4-377, [i], i-xix [index], [v]; with the frontis photograph and 25 other illustrations present; covers a little rubbed with one small brown spot to lower; spine creased and toned, with some splitting; beginning to come away internally but holding firm; very good.
Known in the mid 19th century as the ‘wickedest city in the United States’, Asbury incorporates a description of the city with biographies of mass murderers, bandits and brothel-keepers, as well as descriptions of the famous criminal districts including ‘Hell’s Half-Acre’ and the ‘Black Hole’ and even ending with an account of Al Capone. Both works scarce indeed, with the signed book particularly so.