“THIS IS THE CLOSEST I WILL EVER COME TO WRITING AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY”: SLAPSTICK, SIGNED BY VONNEGUT WITH HIS SELF-PORTRAIT SKETCH

VONNEGUT, Kurt. Slapstick. New York: Delacorte, (1976). Octavo, original dark blue cloth, original dust jacket. $1600.

First trade edition, boldly signed by Vonnegut on the dedication page, together with his full-page self-portrait sketch and characteristic flourish.

Slapstick, Vonnegut's "whimsical future-based fantasy… explores many recurring Vonnegut themes in interesting and moving ways… This novel, Vonnegut explains, is the closest he 'will ever come to writing an autobiography' since it's about what life 'feels like' to him'" (Farrell, Critical Companion, 329-332; emphasis in original). Written while mourning the death of his sister Alice, the title of the novel refers to the physical comedy of early cinema and the comedy of Laurel and Hardy who, Vonnegut writes, "never failed to bargain in good faith with their destinies, and were screamingly adorable and funny on that account." "Both funny and sad… just about perfect!" (Los Angeles Times). The first of Vonnegut's novels to be published without the "Jr." after his name. Preceded by the same year's privately printed, limited edition. Currey, 407.

Book fine, dust jacket with minor repair on verso to one short tear.