Kurt VONNEGUT (1922-2007) Welcome to the Monkey House A collection of short works George

George DELACORTE (publisher). - Kurt VONNEGUT (1922-2007).

Welcome to the Monkey House A collection of short works.

[New York:] A Seymour Lawrence Book Delacorte Press, [1968].

Octavo. Pp. [i-]xv[-xvi; i-ii]; 1-298, [i-ii]. Extra-illustrated with a loosely inserted business card from George Delacorte, the card has been customised (probably by Delacorte) so the 'Mr.' has been crossed through, as has the name 'Delacorte' leaving only his first name (one can imagine him saying "Call me George" as he hands over card and book).

Condition of contents: excellent.

Original cloth-backed boards, blocked decoration to upper cover and spine, dust-jacket with '0868' date-code.

Condition of binding: excellent, the dust-jacket has four or five very small splits (see images) and shows some light discoloration to the inner surface, but is otherwise excellent.

Provenance: possible gift from George T. Delacorte Jr. (1894 - 1991, publisher, business card inserted).

An excellent copy of the first edition of this collection, identified as the 'First Delacorte Printing' on the verso of the title. In one possible narrative, the presence of George Delacorte's business card suggests that this copy might have been a gift from the publisher.

"Kurt Vonnegut is considered one of the most influential American novelists of the twentieth century. He blended literature with science fiction and humor, the absurd with pointed social commentary" (biography.com). "This brilliant collection of [25] stories and essays ... displays Kurt Vonnegut's versatility, satire and imaginative power, and reinforces his position as one of the contemporary American masters of fiction" ('blurb' on front flap). Included here are all of the stories from 'Canary in a Cathouse', and a number of other pieces collected here for the first time.

Ref: 17.051c