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A Confederacy of Dunces John Kennedy Toole | Louisiana State University Press, Baton Rouge (1980)
Fifth Printing | Walker Percy SIGNED Bookplate | Price-Clipped Jacket
About This Book
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, John Kennedy Toole\'s comedic masterpiece chronicles the eccentric, flatulent, and scholastic adventures of Ignatius J. Reilly through the underbelly of New Orleans. Published posthumously through the relentless championship of novelist Walker Percy, it has cemented itself as an irreplaceable pillar of late 20th-century American literature.
Why This Copy? (Distinguishing Value)
Early hardcover printings of this modern classic—especially those carrying direct publisher-associated provenance connecting the book to its literary savior, Walker Percy—represent highly sought-after acquisitions for collectors despite minor jacket variations:
- Walker Percy Association: Features an authentic, hand-signed bookplate by Walker Percy affixed neatly to the title page, recognizing his pivotal role in bringing Toole\'s tragicomic vision to light.
- Desirable Early Printing: Representing the Fifth Printing, this copy was rushed out closely following the initial 1980 release wave to satisfy the immediate, explosive regional demand triggered by the novel\'s sudden critical acclaim.
- Exceptional Structural State: The natural tan cloth boards survive in remarkably crisp, Very Good Plus preservation with bright text-block edges, accompanied by a vibrant pictorial dust jacket (noting the standard price-clipped front flap).
- Archival Protection: Maintained meticulously within a Brodart-style archival Mylar sleeve to safeguard the jacket panels from environmental wear while preserving aesthetic appeal.
Bibliographic Specifications Author: John Kennedy Toole (Foreword by Walker Percy) Title: A Confederacy of Dunces Publisher: Louisiana State University Press, Baton Rouge Publication Date: 1980 Edition / Issue: Fifth Printing (Explicitly confirmed via copyright statement) Format: Hardcover, 338 pages, octavo Dust Jacket: Original pictorial jacket, price-clipped Overall Grade: Book: Very Good Plus (VG+) | Dust Jacket: Very Good (VG) Detailed Condition Report
- Boards & Binding: Natural tan cloth boards are clean, square, and retain sharp dark brown spine typography with only a very mild, expected text-block settle. Hinges remain strong and tight.
- Interior & Text Block: Text block edges are clean with minimal handling evidence. Pages are bright, crisp, and entirely free of stray internal markings or prior ownership inscriptions, save for the authorized Percy bookplate.
- Dust Jacket: Original pictorial jacket is vibrant and well-preserved with minor shelf friction at the extreme spine ends, noting a clean price-clip to the front flap; safely preserved beneath protective Mylar.
Collector Notes & First Edition Points
- Copyright Statement: Clearly bears the LSU Press printing sequence line indicating the Fifth Printing state.
- Jacket Points: Features correct Nick Gaetano cover artwork and Ed Lindlof jacket design layout, with a price-clipped front flap.
Provenance & Authenticity
This volume features the authentic signature of Walker Percy via an LSU Press/promotional bookplate affixed to the title page. Offered as acquired based on dealer expertise and high-resolution examination of contemporary literary association materials.
Please Note: The accompanying high-resolution photographs form an essential part of this physical condition description. Please review all images carefully to assess margins, bindings, and surface details. We are pleased to provide additional photographs, bibliographic measurements, or answers to any specific condition questions upon request prior to purchase. Archival Packaging & Secure Shipping
We recognize that antiquarian and investment-grade volumes require professional handling to arrive in the exact condition cataloged. Every premium order is prepared using institutional-grade packaging standards:
- Archival Surface Protection: Volumes are shielded from surface abrasion, moisture, and handling friction using archival-grade wrapping and protective barriers.
- Corner & Impact Defense: The book is encased in multiple layers of heavy-duty bubble wrap and reinforced with rigid corrugated board to eliminate bumping and shelf drop risk in transit.
- Crush-Proof Boxing: Shipped exclusively in a rigid, heavy-duty corrugated shipping carton with full perimeter void fill -- never in padded mailers, flimsy envelopes, or unreinforced book wraps.
- Carrier & Tracking: Dispatched via USPS with full postal insurance, end-to-end door-to-door tracking, and signature confirmation required upon delivery to ensure safe arrival.
About My Old Man\'s Books
Operating out of Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, My Old Man\'s Books (MOMB) is an independent antiquarian bookseller and estate specialist dedicated to preserving and placing rare, out-of-print, and historically significant volumes. We adhere strictly to accepted professional antiquarian trade standards (ABAA / ILAB), applying rigorous issue-point analysis, conservative physical grading, and comprehensive photographic disclosure to every item we catalog.
Authenticity & Satisfaction Guarantee
Every volume is guaranteed authentic and strictly graded in accordance with the provided bibliographic specifications and condition notes. If an item arrives substantially misdescribed or damaged in transit, we provide full return privileges and prompt resolution. Please do not hesitate to contact us prior to purchase for specialized collation checks, high-resolution detail photos, or inquiries regarding provenance and issue points.
MOMB Satisfaction Guarantee
Buy with confidence. If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, you may return it in the same condition in which it was shipped within 30 days for a full refund. Customer satisfaction is our highest priority.
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