Lardner, Ring (1915-2000)

The Lardners: My Family Remembered. [Association Copy: Inscribed to Publisher Ben Raeburn]

New York: Harper & Row, 1976. First Edition, First Printing.

An intimate association copy of this tragic and triumphant family memoir, inscribed by the Academy Award-winning screenwriter and 'Hollywood Ten' member to the publisher Ben Raeburn.

KEY FEATURES
+++ Content: A chronicle of one of America's most talented and ill-fated literary dynasties. Ring Jr. details life with his father, the legendary humorist Ring Lardner, and his brothers, covering their successes, the Spanish Civil War, and his own blacklisting during the McCarthy era.

+++ Associated Names: Ring Lardner Jr. (Author); Ben Raeburn (Recipient).
+++ Provenance: Inscribed in blue ink on the front free endpaper: 'To Ben Raeburn / With regards and gratitude / Ring Lardner Jr.'

CONDITION: Very Good in Very Good Dust Jacket -- The bindings are tight and square. Text is clean with light, even age-toning. There is moderate shelf handling wear. The dust jacket is unclipped ($12.95) with edge wear and rubbing, particularly at the spine ends and corners.
+++ Imprint: New York: Harper & Row, 1976. First Edition, First Printing (Full number line 1-10).
+++ Dimensions: 9.25 inches tall / viii, [2] 3-371 pages with an index; 
+++ Visuals: Illustrated with numerous black-and-white family photographs.
+++ Binding: Light blue cloth boards with silver spine titles.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Ring Lardner Jr. was the last surviving member of the 'Hollywood Ten,' the group of screenwriters blacklisted and imprisoned for refusing to testify before the HUAC. Despite this, he won two Academy Awards for screenwriting (Woman of the Year and MASH*).

This book recounts the extraordinary story of the Lardner family, where immense literary talent often walked hand-in-hand with tragedy. The inscription to Ben Raeburn (founder of Horizon Press) is notable; Raeburn was a champion of intellectual freedom and high-quality literature. The use of the word 'gratitude' suggests Raeburn may have been a supporter of Lardner during his years of professional exile or a close peer in the New York literary circle.

SUBJECTS: Ring Lardner, Hollywood Ten, Blacklist, Screenwriting, American Humorists, MAS*H, Ben Raeburn, Family Memoirs, Cinema History.

Item #21515

Price: $135.00