The Wild Party
New York: Covici, Frede, 1929. Limited Edition. Octavo. Item #023962
The second trade edition limited to 2000 copies. The present copy is #1444. Originally written in 1928 and promptly suppressed because of the perceived raciness of the text. This long narrative poem was written in rhymed verse. Jazz Age, prohibition-era tale of decadence, violence, and disillusionment. The central characters are Queenie, a vaudeville dancer, and her lover Burrs, a vaudeville clown. They enter a toxic, violent relationship. To amuse themselves, they throw an all-night party. Inviting showgirls, gangsters, alcoholics, drug users, and misfits. The night is fueled by booze, sex, and jazz. This became Michael John LaChiusa's 2000 Broadway musical adaptation. A near fine copy bound in beige cloth, spine lettering gilt. A near fine copy from the library of Richard Greene Holbrook with his nice bookplate. Laid in is an article dated March, 1929 from Vanity Fair about this author's work written by John Riddle.
Price: $145.00