Early Lesbian Pulp Novel from Beebo Brinker series The Marriage by Ann Bannon, Signed First Edition 1960

1960. [LGBTQ pulp] Bannon, Ann. Pseudonym of Ann Weldy. The Marriage. Greenwich, Conn: Fawcett Publications, 1960. Ann Bannon's signature on title page. First edition, first printing. Mass-market softcover paperback. 192 pages. Measures 4.25 x 7". Vibrant red cover in noir style showing a woman resting her head on the shoulders of a man, with a slash designed to look like a tear down the middle, tagline reading: "Could their love tower above society's deepest taboos?" The Marriage tackles the illicit relationship between a husband and wife related by more than just marriage. Bannon used this scandalous and taboo subject to bring up questions of morality, guilt, and shame. The book is an installment in Bannon's Beebo Brinker series and features a subplot with lesbian protagonist Laura and her marriage of convenience to friend Jack, who is also gay. Ann Bannon began writing as a young, closeted housewife to explore her sexual identity. Her pulp novels became some of the most popular for the genre and provided complex, humanizing portraits of queer women. Textblock tight and clean. Overall very good condition. A scarce copy, as this book was not reprinted after 1960.