Main Street
Chicago: Printed for the Members of the Limited Editions Club at the Lakeside Press, 1937.
Presentation copy of the limited edition
signed by artist Grant Wood to the man who inspired this very edition. xviii, 367, [3] pp. Gray linen with orangish yellow and blue stamping, housed in original slipcase. Fine in Very Good+ slipcase missing original title label, slightly chipped, with Monthly Letter of the LEC laid in (small ink notation by relevant passage and penciled note). Illustrated with nine tinted plates after drawings by Grant Wood.
Limited edition, copy lettered "L.L.V." (alongside 1,500 numbered copies) signed by artist Grant Wood, a special presentation copy for the former owner, whose initials are L.L.V., and who inspired this very edition with a simple letter to the publisher. Signed letter from the Director of The Limited Editions Club, George Macy, to Mr. L.L. Vance of Minneapolis mounted on rear paste down. In it Macy writes,"Today I am sending you a special copy of Main Street illustrated by Grant Wood. This is because it was your suggestion that we make this book. For some time, we could not remember who did make the suggestion originally; only the other day a member of the staff quite remarkably remembered your name. We would be glad to have your comment on the book." The Monthly Letter of the Limited Editions Club is laid in; in it the brief story of Vance's letter to the publisher that Main Street be illustrated by Grant Wood is relayed. Therein Vance is referred to as "Somebody living in the Middle West," his name being temporarily forgotten. A unique association copy with a serendipitous story.
Price: $1,200.00