Books

Hardcover. One of 425 copies plus 34 hors de commerce. Signed by Lou Stoumen, the famed photographer. Louis Clyde Stoumen (1917 1991), known as Lou Stoumen, was an American photographer, film director and producer. He won two Academy Awards; the first in 1957 for Best Documentary Short Subject, and the second in 1963 for Best Documentary Feature. He contributed 40 striking black and white photographs to this book, featuring a number of individuals playing the roles of the book's characters, identified in the photographer's credits, to illustrate Chandler's hard-boiled crime novel, first published in 1939, the first to feature his detective, Philip Marlowe. The introduction by Lawrence Clark Powell discusses the impact of Chandler's crime novels, and offers a brief biography. Stoumen offers a final photographer's note that states that the Arion Press proprietor, Andrew Hoyem, wanted him to bring Chandler's LA to life in a series of photographs that would resemble motion picture publicity stills. Bound in gray paper boards by Schuberth Bindery, with a dark blue design and titling to front cover, and a dark blue cloth spine with a title label. Printed on Mohawk Superfine paper with Scotch Roman and Futura Black types. The photo-lithography was printed by Phelps-Schaefer in blue/black duotone over double opaque white and finished with a double varnish. Accompanied by the prospectus. In fine condition. Measures 8 x 10.25 inches. 249 pages plus colophon. PRI/100324.

The Big Sleep is a hardboiled crime novel by Raymond Chandler, the first in his acclaimed series about detective Philip Marlowe. The story is set in Los Angeles and follows Marlowe as he investigates a complex case involving blackmail, mystery, and murder, which begins with a wealthy general who is being blackmailed and needs Marlowe's help.