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The Beans of Egypt, Maine
NY, Ticknor & Fields, 1985. The uncorrected proof copy of her first book, a novel of a backwoods Maine family which was both critically acclaimed and a surprise bestseller. With a long inscription from Chute to fellow Ticknor & Fields author Madison Smartt Bell, whose novel Waiting for the End of the World was published the same year. "For Madison & Beth [Bell's wife, the poet Elizabeth Spires] - fellow writers waiting for the end of the world. xoxox Carolyn/ May 6, 85/ [Publisher's name circled] Publishers of Dickens, Longfellow, Bell, Chute and others. May you have your dream house soon! A RAT-less one." With Madison Smart Bell's ownership signature. Further inscribed by Chute, eight years later, to famed [and later, murdered] book collector Rolland Comstock: "So, how did you get Madison and Beth's copy? They are my friends! Madison, a better novelist than me. Beth, a super poet. They have their house now. And a baby girl." Faint crease to front cover, likely from so much inscribing; near fine in wrappers. Laid in is a folded five-page press release from Ticknor & Fields, the text of which is a transcription of excerpts of the highly entertaining correspondence Chute sent to her editor during the pre-publication process. A wonderful, unique association copy. [#032639] SOLD

All books are first printings of first editions or first American editions unless otherwise noted.

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