Lot 653: Cormac McCarthy, Outer Dark, 1st Edition, Signed; plus “The Achievement of Cormac McCarthy”

1st Item: OUTER DARK, Cormac McCarthy, Random House, New York, 1968. First Edition, stated “First Printing” on copyright page; only 5,000 printed in the first run. Ex library. Association copy, inscribed on the half title page to fellow author John Egerton and his wife “For John & Ann / All the best / Cormac McCarthy”. Original light blue 1/4 cloth and gray paper boards; First state jacket with price of $4.95 and date of 9/68 intact, protected by an archival cover. McCarthy’s second book, Egerton’s personal copy. 8 1/2″ H x 5 3/4″ W. 2nd Item: THE ACHIEVEMENT OF CORMAC MCCARTHY by Vereen M. Bell, Louisiana State University Press, Baton Rouge, 1988. Hardcover; Vanderbilt University professor Vereen Bell’s in-depth look into McCarthy’s first five published novels, from The Orchard Keeper through Blood Meridian.

PROVENANCE: From the collection of John and Ann Egerton, Nashville TN.

CONDITION: 1st Item (Outer Dark): Ex Library with typical associated markings, including library stamp on title page, “Discard” stamp front flyleaf, removed library card envelope rear endpaper, tape residue to boards. Jacket unclipped with chipping to top of spine, 2 1/2″ tear top front, no library markings. 2nd Item (Achievement): Good/Good with tears to DJ.