Merrill, James. JIM'S BOOK: A Collection Of Poems And Stories.

an edition of about 200 copies when his son was but sixteen years old. This copy is inscribed by Merrill in the form of a quatrain: "Dear Ted, Beware! Don't turn the page / or dream of reading at your age / these jottings by a rose-lipt lad / who once drove men of forty mad -- Jimmy. 19.ix.91." Laid into the book is an autograph postcard from Merrill: "Dear Ted -- I can't resist (and how you could I can't imagine) adding the last line to your clever little verse: "They had to ask for pearls! Ah well. Boys will be girls. Back from Missouri exhausted. But see you soon. Love, Jimmy." Also laid in are an early draft of a Merrill poem, "Pearl," on thermal fax paper that differs substantially from its published version and a copy of a written statement from Merrill's mother in which she lays out the history of "Jim's Book." Fine in the original unprinted glassine dust jacket as issued. Housed in a custom-made cloth clamshell box. Hardcover.