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THE BLESSING WAY By Tony Hillerman, ill. Franklin, Ernest
Book No. 2090
Harper & Row, 1970. Inscribed By Author and Signed By Illustrator. First Edition, Inscribed by Author. Binding: Full Leather. Book Condition: Fine. Jacket Condition: Fine Leather Clamshell Box. Size: 8vo - over 7.75" - 9.75" tall. A spectacular First Edition (presumed) of Tony Hillerman's first book signed by the author and inscribed to his long-time friend and artist, Ernest Franklin. With 11 full pages of original illustrations by Ernest Franklin, each signed by him: 10 pages in ink and watercolor, one page in ink. Also, Franklin's signature "wolf" appears in ink on the free page following the front free endpaper. Signed by the author on the title page along with an inscription "With my thanks to Ernie Franklin for showing me what Leaphorn looks like - TH." Attractively bound in full black leather with brown leather inserts on the spine for the title and "1970," trimmed with gold trims. The interior is very clean and bright; the illustrations have been professionally tipped in. With dark blue endpapers, with a very small label of unknown origin on the bottom corner of the back endpaper. With "First Edition" stated on the copyright page but with a full-page illustration filling the last page where the number line should be. However, comparison with a true first with the number line page shows the pages are the correct size and the paper very similar in tone. Bibliographic sources also indicate consistency. (Louis A. Hieb, "Tony Hillerman: A Bibliography", "Collecting Tony Hillerman"), although the pagination is slightly different with additional pages inserted before and after the text block in the rebound edition. The book rests in a beautiful matching full leather clamshell box with the body of the exterior in the brown leather of the titling on the book with a black leather insert holding the gold titling; with solid rounded spine with attractive ribbing ; also trimmed in gold like the book. The box is lined in shiny dark navy material. Overall, a spectacular production of Tony Hillerman's first book that would be incomplete without the art of Ernest Franklin. Includes a Certificate of Authenticity. Also includes a fine copy of Firsts Magazine, Vol. 1, Number 4, April, 1991 featuring an article about Ernest Franklin and the original artwork he creates for Tony Hillerman's books, "Illustrating Tony Hillerman." Parrish Books guarantees all signatures as authentic.
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