"SEASHELL EBB MUSIC WAYRIVER SHE FLOWS": ANNA LIVIA PLURABELLE, SIGNED BY JOYCE, THE HERSHOLT COPY

JOYCE, James. Anna Livia Plurabelle. With a Preface by Padraic Colum. New York: Crosby Gaige, 1928. 12mo, original gilt-stamped brown cloth, top edge gilt, uncut. $9000.

First separate publication of the centerpiece and most beautiful segment of Finnegans Wake, number 129 of only 800 copies signed by Joyce, a beautiful copy in original gilt-stamped cloth. From the library of Danish-American actor and noted bibliophile Jean Hersholt, with his signed bookplate and shelf label.

Responding to critics who accused him of writing off the cuff, Joyce claimed to have spent 1200 hours composing this integral part of his Work in Progress, later published as Finnegans Wake. He incorporated nearly 350 river names into the text and wrought perhaps the most lyrical of his published works. "He was prepared, he said, 'to stake everything' on this section of his book…" (Ellman, 598). Without scarce original glassine. Slocum & Cahoon 32. Danish-American actor and bibliophile Jean Hersholt's copy, with his signed bookplate and shelf label. Small bookseller label to rear pastedown.

A beautiful copy in fine condition with exceptional provenance.