Tijuana Bibles: Art and Wit in America's Forbidden Funnies, 1930s-1950s [Inscribed]

New York: Simon and Schuster, 1997. First Edition. First printing. Inscribed by Adelman on title page: "For James / Now You'll realize how little you missed not growing up in America ...I trust you're not unamused," signed, dated in year of publication. Oblong quarto. Tan paper-covered boards; dustjacket;160pp. Fine copy. In the original dustwrapper, unclipped (priced $24.95 on front flap), very subtly creased at upper edge, still Near Fine.

The book that brought Tijuana Bibles into mainstream consciousness. Lavishly illustrated, reproducing original 8-pagers from the collection of New York collector Madeline Kripke. Fair warning: in keeping (truncated) with the book's subject, the contents are frankly, exuberantly, and unabashedly pornographic. Widely distributed in paperback, but the first printing is somewhat elusive, especially in this condition. We do not believe Adelman to have been a generous signer, as we can't recall having seen another inscribed copy of this book (and given the contents, we doubt there was a major public book tour at the time of publication!). (Inventory #: 64129)