A Confederacy of Dunces by TOOLE, John Kennedy - 1980

Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1980. Hardcover. Fine/Fine. First edition. Foreword by Walker Percy. A fine and unusually tight copy (with only the slightest of the usual splaying of the boards) in fine first issue dust jacket with just a touch of rubbing. Advance Review Copy with publisher's slip laid in. Posthumously published novel that was the first work of fiction published by LSU Pres, and which had a very small first printing (reportedly 2500 copies). Initially the book was rejected by dozens of publishers and the author committed suicide in 1969. Years later the author's mother brought the manuscript to Walker Percy, insisting that he read it. Percy championed the book, arranged for its publication, and contributed an introduction. Excellent reviews and word of mouth led to it becoming a best-seller, and eventually winning the Pulitzer Prize. This copy is Inscribed on the half-title by the author's mother: "Appreciation and Regards from John Kennedy Toole's Mother, Thelma Ducoing Toole." and is additionally Signed by Walker Percy on the title page. A book which has become exceptionally uncommon. An especially nice copy Signed by both Mrs. Toole and Walker Percy. *Burgess 99.*.