White Trash Cooking

Highlands, NC: The Jargon Society, 1986. Issued as Jargon 101. Large spiral-bound octavo (23.5 x 19 cm.), 134, [6] pages. Blank pages at rear for additional recipes. FIRST EDITION. A cookbook often seen as satirical, but which is in fact a genuinely appreciative work of culinary Americana. One of the more unusual titles in Jargon's run and its only bestseller. Publisher Jonathan Williams, reveals how one might "explain what these recipes and snapshots were all about to some grand maitre like Paul Bocuse, you'd say: 'listen here, buddy, this be the vittels of white, Southern, rural peasants (excepts we call them folks, not peasants). Hit'll eat! Besides, you've already met the dark cousin, Soul Food." (publisher's statement, inside panel of front board). Fine in publisher's photographically illustrated stiff boards, in a double Wire-O binding. Inscribed by Mickler in the year of publication, "To Dean, Ernest Matthew Mickler, 3.7.86." and additionally signed by publisher Jonathan Williams. Also laid-in is a two-page obituary for Mickler by Williams signed by him, "JW for SDW". The obituary is top-stapled and folded once. With an introduction by the publisher and inscribed to his life-long friend, Stanley Dean Willis. Willis attended St. Albans High School with Williams and was his best friend there. The obituary here included was eventually published in Williams' book BLACKBIRD DUST. A warm and intimate association for one of Jargon's best-known titles. [Jaffe B52].