Books

Baton Rouge and London: Louisiana State University Press, 1980. Signed by professor and author Walker Percy on tipped-in leaf prior half-title page: "Walker Percy." Percy, a professor and author himself, was instrumental in having this discovered gem miraculously published. 1980 at title page and copyright. Stated second printing. Light beige w/hint of green, full cloth boards, black stylized spine titles, light shelf wear. Pages near fine with attractive toning; no writing. Light olive endpapers. Bind fine, square; hinges intact. Original first edition dust wrapper without Sun-Times review blurb at back panel, moderate edge wear, rub, crease; unclipped 12.95, protected in new clear sleeve. Scarce very good second printing in same first edition wrapper. The author of this hilarious satire, John Kennedy Toole, took his own life at 32 after facing consistent rejection from nearly every American publisher. Toole's mother, finally was able to have her son's work…

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.