Notes on Democracy. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, [1926].
First edition, one of 200 copies printed on Borzoi Rag Paper and signed by Mencken, out of a total edition of 235. This is copy number 163.
Octavo. [viii], [1]-[213], [5, blank] pp. With signed limitation page inserted at front. Publisher’s green cloth backstrip over patterned handmade paper boards, printed paper label on spine, original slipcase. This copy has the extra paper label affixed to the rear pastedown (as issued; these labels are very often lacking). Many pages unopened. Spine very slightly sunned, very mild thumbsoiling to slipcase. Still, a handsome, fine copy, much better than usually seen.
Henry Louis Mencken (1880-1956) was one of the premier journalists, essayists, and satirists of his time. Known for his acerbic and caustic wit, his most famous work is his multi-volume study of the English language, The American Language. He is one of the most polarizing writers of the early twentieth century: people either love him or hate him (he published a collection of excoriating writings about himself written by his detractors, entitled Menckeniana). Notes on Democracy has his characteristic cynical and satirical view of how our government and way of life work (or don’t work).
ID:
3175
$
450