SIDDHARTHA. Inscribed By Henry Miller to June [Miller] by [Henry Miller] Hesse, Hermann - 1951

New York: New Directions Books, 1951 Hesse, Hermann. SIDDHARTHA. Signed. New York: New Directions Books, 1951. First American Edition. Exquisite Presentation Copy. Translated from the German by Hilda Rosner. First English language Trade Edition, preceded only by a New Direction's slipcased limited edition & here issued as No. 34 in the New Classics Series. The second Issue, with William Carlos Williams's collection 'Paterson' spelled correctly in the list of New Classics Series titles on the verso of the half-title. Small 8vo, [6], 153 [1]pp. A fine copy in a very good Alvin Lustig designed dustwrapper with a 1" 1/4 x 1/2" chip at the bottom of the back panel & a short closed tear at the top of the front panel. An exceptional copy none-the-less, inscribed by Henry Miller to his ex wife: "For June / - to read in / moments / of despair / Henry / 10 /16 /56". It was Miller's custom to send books to June & Siddhartha was Miller's favorite & he probably sent her at least 2 copies of Siddhartha over the years. Rarely do these books surface but they on occasion do. Often thought of as a Sixties book, Siddhartha was actually a decade early; a precursor to the major societal & philosophical changes to follow & a cardinal influence during the Sixties & beyond. An important book. Custom TBCL 'Sculpted' Collector's Clamshell Case.. Signed. 1st Edition.