Dreams for Flesh

Philadelphia: Dauphine Press, 1985. First Edition, First Printing.

Rare book of prose and photos celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Specifically, Fat Tuesday, "the final day of bacchanalia before the Lenten fasting begins."

Chris Peditto has written a short story about a drunken day in New Orleans filled with outrageous characters. That's followed by a series of striking black-and-white photographs by Roea Wallace. Many of her photos show people in masks or costumes (with a couple of lewd scenes thrown in for good measure). Each photo is accompanied by a short text by Peditto on the opposite page.

Wallace and Peditto were active in the Philadelphia art and poetry scene in the 1980s. Wallace now lives in Louisville, her hometown. Peditto, who was known professionally as C. Natale Peditto, died in 2013 in Los Angeles. His work appeared in numerous literary journals.

Peditto has inscribed the title page and Wallace has added her signature. The inscription on the title page reads: "For Al, Fine collector + friend thru the spirit of time. Chris." Under Roea Wallace's name, she has signed: "XX Roea."

Peditto's inscription also notes: "1st proof, June 2, 1985. Bacchanal." Bacchanal was a Philadelphia bar from 1980 to 1992 that attracted artists, poets, and musicians. Given the contents of the book, Bacchanal was undoubtedly the best possible place to sign the book.

This book is rare. OCLC shows a single institutional holding, at the University of Louisville. None in commerce.

A fascinating and sometimes outrageous view of Mardi Gras in photos and text.

PHYSICAL DETAILS: Oblong Quarto (11 x 8 1/2 inches; 280 x 217 mm), unpaginated [48 pages], in comb-bound illustrated wrappers (soft cover).

CONDITION: Some soiling, edge wear, and sunning to the wrappers. Internally, some pages creased. Easily Very Good or better.