THE CELESTIAL OMNIBUS: And Other Stories

New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1923. First U.S. edition, first issue/state, unrecorded. In the exceedingly scarce to rare dust jacket. According to Kirkpatrick, the entire first U.S. edition was published using sheets from the 1923 second printing of the 2nd UK edition [Kirkpatrick A5b&c] which was printed by Turnbull & Spears of Edinburgh using moulds made from the type of the Chiswick Press 1920 first printing (of the 2nd UK edition). Kirkpatrick makes no mention of the title page of the first U.S. edition being a cancel, as is clearly the case with this one (i.e., the title page is mounted on a stub). Nor is there mention of the printer's imprint found at the rear of this copy (p.[164]) which reads, "London: Printed at the Chiswick Press/ Tooks Court, Chancery Lane." Leading us to believe this particular copy may have been made up from sheets of the 1920 first printing of the 2nd UK edition. We would also surmise that the dust jacket on this copy is a trial one or at the very least a first issue or state because although it clearly states "2nd Large Printing" on the spine, the 2nd printing of the first U.S. edition didn't appear until 1927 and the entire rear flap of the jacket is an advertisement for the first issue of American Mercury to be "ready January 2nd, 1924." Small 8vo (approximately 5 x 7.5") orange cloth boards stamped in black; top edge black; 164 pages. Near fine with crimps to lower front spine and board corners; in about very good dust jacket slightly darkened and rubbed on spine which is also showing nicks and rubs at ends and one small hole beneath the title (not affecting any lettering). Knopf's 4-page leaflet advertising titles for the "16th Season, Fall, 1923" laid in. Exceedingly scarce in any dust jacket in any early edition or printing in either the U.S. or UK.