Waiting for Nothing

Here is the incredibly rare, first edition of "Waiting for Nothing" by Tom Kromer, the classic hardboiled narrative of being on the "bum" during the Great Depression.

This is the notorious British edition, first state, with Chapter Four excised and replaced by a five-page apology from the publisher, Constable & Company. It seems that the reference to homosexuality in 1935 was too much of a risk in the publisher's view. (Casciato and West, in their Afterward to "Waiting for Nothing and Other Writings" by University of Georgia Press in 1986, say that Constable later issued an unexpurgated version of the same edition, with Chapter Four included. So this copy is the true first.)

Also featured are an Introduction by Theodore Dreiser, a frontispiece photograph of Kromer (with a classic tissue separator to prevent offsetting), a five-page autobiography by the author, and advertising for other books including Nelson Algren's first novel "Somebody in Boots." None of these features are in the American edition published by Knopf in 1935.

Condition is VG- with some wear at the top and bottom of the spine, light foxing on the text block edge and on a few pages, a couple places in the signature joints where binding net is beginning to show (but no breakage of any kind; see photos), and the slightest cock to the spine. Previous owner inscription with name and address on FEP. It is written in pencil and could be erased, but definitely appears contemporary and British, so you might want to do some research on the name.

All in all, a solid collectible copy of an incredibly rare edition. Feel free to inquire further or request more photos. The last one we saw for sale was in 2013, and it sold quickly for $400. And that was ten years ago!