NY, Knopf, 2005. Essays on American art. Inscribed by the author: "For ___/ Best wishes as always, and Merry Xmas! John [Updike]." Additionally signed by Updike in full on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket, with just a couple small, shallow lamination scratches. At this point in Updike's friendship with the recipient, adding his last name must have seemed unnecessarily formal (especially at holiday time), and yet that familiarity would have been at odds with his respect for her as a collector, leading Updike to choose the use of both his first name and the bracketed last name. [#030273] SOLD