Books

Baton Rouge and London: Louisiana State University Press, 1980. True first edition; 1980 at title page and copyright pages without additional printings stated. One of only 2,500 of the first printing. Tan full cloth boards, black stylized spine titles, light shelf wear. Pages generally near fine, no writing; few at front with little discoloration at edge. Bind fine, square; hinges intact. Dust wrapper, light shelf wear, rub; unclipped 12.95, protected in new clear sleeve. Features the classic humored wrapper illustration by Ed Lindlof. First edition wrapper, without Chicago Sun-Times blurb, and Walker Percy summmary review at rear panel. Rare near fine first edition in same wrapper. Includes original hand written signed letter and play-list by Thelma Ducoing Toole dated February 7, 1982. Mrs. Toole was the mother of John Kennedy Toole, author of "A Confederacy of Dunces." Beautifully composed message contains songs for the seasons and 'nostalgic' songs. One of…

A Confederacy of Dunces is a picaresque novel by American novelist John Kennedy Toole, published by Louisiana State University Press in 1980, 11 years after Toole's suicide. The book's title refers to an epigram from Jonathan Swift's essay, 'Thoughts on Various Subjects, Moral and Diverting': 'When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him.' Set in New Orleans, the novel bursts with rich and vivid characters, especially the protagonist, Ignatius J. Reilly, whose comedic misadventures are a highlight of the narrative.

First editions of 'A Confederacy of Dunces' can be identified by the lack of mention of the Pulitzer Prize on the cover and the presence of editorial reviews. Additionally, the correct ISBN number and the date of the print run also help to verify the first edition.