Elmhurst: Irvin A. Ruby, (1948). First edition. Hardcover. Fine / Near Fine. Original gray cloth on boards, lettered in dark red to the front panel and the spine. Compiled and Written by Workers of the Federal Writers' Project of the Work Projects Administration in the State of Illinois. Fold-out map attached to interior of rear board. Re-Edited for publication in 1948 by Marion Knoblauch. (Three cheers for Marion Knoblauch!!!) It is entirely through her efforts that this lovely book emerged. The book was intended to be published in 1939 but was stopped by a 15 to 5 vote by the county board of supervisors. A certain Mr. Potts asserted that "the book was filled with scurrility...a story of adultery, rape, and kidnapping....fit for nothing except grotesqueries.' There was "nothing in the copy worth saving in book form," and Mr. Potts "would not have the book in [his] house for fear the children would get hold of it." Ah - the poor defenseless children argument. So, the book languished but Marion Knoblauch would not rest and with much effort and re-editing due to, among other things, changing road names and finding additional typographic errors in the original manuscript came up with this volume. Then, again with much effort, pleading with someone - anyone - to step up and publish. And, so, in 1948, she was able to produce this lovely volume for The American Guide Series. A lovely copy in all respects. One very small chip to the jacket along the top edge, else fine. Dykes, #80; Mangione - pp.343-344.

Price: $125.00