Dark Carnival

Sauk City, WI: Arkham House, 1947. First Edition of the Author’s First Book. Signed by the author, Ray Bradbury. The inscription reads (in upper case): "For Bob Hoffman, With fond remembrances of many pleasant evenings of Prokofieff, Gliere, Rozsa and others - and the old days of record making - With all my best from your friend, Ray Bradbury May 29, 1947.” The book is in near fine condition with the barest hint of edge wear, a trace of rubbing to the gilt stamping at the spine with all letters legible and present, and with faint dusting at page edges in a very good bright dust jacket some light soiling to rear panel, thin lines of foxing to the tops and folds of the flaps, and the usual light wear to the edges as this jacket was too large for the book, and some minor wear to the top and bottom edges of the spine. Enclosed in a custom black clamshell box. Presentation copies contemporary with publication and to personal friends are very rare. R.A. Hoffman was the "Art editor" and one of the founders of the magazine - ‘The Acolyte'. He was a member of the Clifton's Cafe where the LASFAS group would gather (Ray Bradbury, Ray Harryhausen, Roy Squires, Robert Heinlein, and 'the other RAH as Rah liked to quip). Although not scarce signed, a true presentation copy [at the time of publication] is indeed scarce! William F. Nolan - author of ‘The Bradbury Companion’ has noted that the book was released "October, 1947.” Perhaps to the general public it was; this copy is one of the earliest known inscriptions dated by the author, May 29, 1947" (the earliest known is the one Bradbury inscribed to his parents dated April 29, 1947) An attractive copy.