The Circus of Dr. Lao
London: Grey Walls, 1948.
First British edition, first printing. Signed by Charles G. Finney on the half title, inscribed to "Lester Koening - with the regards of the author Charles G. Finney / Tucson, May 18, 1949." Koening, the inscribee was an American screenwriter, film producer, and founder of the jazz record label Contemporary Records. In the 1950s he was blacklisted by HUAC. 151 pp. Bound in publisher's yellow cloth with green pictorial stamping, spine lettered in gilt, green top stain. Near Fine in a Very Good+ dust jacket, spine panel a little toned and edge worn. Quite uncommon signed by the author. A deeply weird yet enoyable circus-themed novel that defies easy categorization or description. It has been called "dark fantasy" and humor. There are also elements of metafiction to it like the footnotes at the end, dubbed "The Catalogue." This UK edition follows the American original by 13 years, and has decidedly darker style of illustrations by G.N. Fish rather than Boris Artzybasheff. Inspired the 1964 film 7 Faces of Dr. Lao.
Price: $2,000