One Arm and Other Stories

New York: New Directions, 1949. First Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine. First printing, first state, with the incorrect copyright page ("Copyright 1948 / New Directions"). One of 20 to 50 copies thus (out of a total of 1500 copies printed on laid paper by Peter Beilenson). "Originally scheduled for release of 27 October 1948, One Arm was not published until January the following year because of an error on the copyright page...Between late October and January 1949, New Directions attempted to recover and correct all copies with the incorrect copyright notice...According to James Laughlin of New Directions and Andreas Brown, however, between 20 and 50 copies escaped correction." Crandell A9.I.a1. This is author Paul Bowles's copy, with Williams's presentation inscription on the front flyleaf" "To Paul and Morocco - With Love, Tennessee." Williams has inscribed the book again at a later date on the front free endpaper: "Many hands, all empty, on the covers, meaning what? Tennessee to Paul, Tangiers, 1962." With Bowles's signature on the front free endpaper. One loose signature with the corrected copyright page is laid in. Ever so slightly cocked, covers a bit rubbed, otherwise a fine copy in publisher's slipcase (defective). A wonderful association copy preserved in a custom-made folding cloth box.

In December of 1948, Jane Bowles left Tangier and went to Gibraltar to meet her husband, Paul, Tennessee Williams, and Frank Merlo (Williams's lover). The three of them were arriving on the SS Saturnia. Williams brought with him his new Buick Roadster, and the four of them toured Spain for a few days before crossing the straits to Tangier. The weather in both Spain and Tangier was rainy and after two weeks in Tangier, the group headed to Fez. (See An Invisible Spectator - A Biography of Paul Bowles by Christopher Sawyer-Laucanno, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, NY, 1989, pages 280-1). Although Williams visited Tangier on several occasions, it seems quite possible that Williams first inscribed tghe book on this visit. Subsequent visits took place in the 50's and 60's.