The Cynic's Word Book (The Devil's Dictionary)

vi, 234 pp. Bound in publisher's dark olive cloth stamped in red and black, top edge gilt. Very Good with discreet fill-in at head and tail of spine, light rubbing and moderate staining to cloth, and bumping to corners. Hinges repaired with original endpapers preserved, sharp vertical crease to back free endpaper. Scattered foxing, light toning, and occasional thumbing and staining throughout. A worn but skillfully repaired association copy with sound binding.

DeLancey Walker Gill was an artist and photographer who directed the Division of Illustration at the Smithsonian Institution's Bureau of American Ethnology from 1889 to 1932. He was also a member of the exclusive Cosmos Club and a pal of the satirist and newspaper writer Ambrose Bierce, who moved to Washington in 1896. "Bitter Bierce" was famous for breaking friendships, but this one must have lasted: a small note laid in reads: "Dear Babe -- Take good care of this book -- it is one of the few reminders of an old & dear friend -- Dad." "Babe" was Gill's nickname for his daughter Agnes, whose signature is in pencil above the original inscription.