Trying to Save Piggy Sneed by Irving, John - 1997

New York: Ballantine Books, 1997. First Edition Thus. Paperback. Very Good +. 27 b/w Photographs / Plates (chiefly portraits); b/w Decorative title Page & Headpieces. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" Tall (small). Slight rubbing to wrappers; slight crease to upper left corner of lower wrapper; else a near fine copy as issued. [10], 437, [1] pages + plates. "First Ballantine Books Edition: February 1997" and number line from 10 to 1 on title page verso. Softcover issue of the "national bestseller" (upper wrapper); originally published in hardcover in 1996 (in different format, with less pictorial material). Contains 12 short pieces in all (including 6 short stories; 3 "memoirs", including the title piece; and 3 essays, including Irving's introduction to Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"). Also notable for Irving's additional piece on Dickens ("The King of the Novel") and on Gunter Grass. Signed by Irving in black ink on title page (below printed name).