Essays and Leaves from a Note-Book

Scarce edition produced by the enterprising but flawed businessman John B. Alden who skipped the middleman and sold books directly to customers from his New York shop, repeatedly going bankrupt due to his expenses exceeding his sales. Brown textured 8vo with gold lettering to cover and spine, light chipping to crown, foot and points; minor spotting. Stitches coming a bit loose affecting pages 96-97. Endpapers & some pages show light foxing. Early owner’s name and date [of acquisition?] to blank page up front, looks like a pencil used. A very few pencil markings & notes within text by the book’s last owner whose rubber stamp appears, upside down on the ffep. This book belonged to late great Jill Johnston (1929-2010) cultural, literary and dance critic, memoirist, radical lesbian feminist and champion of the avant-garde. The stamp reads: “Write first. then live.” J.J.