Second printing of this scarce and impassioned tribute book by That Morrissey, pre-fame and pre-ignominy, written when love still filled the empty places of his heart and spite yet had but few footholds therein.
Very good plus.
Price: $650.00
"Being devoted to the Dolls ruined my education."
Morrissey's first book consists of 8 pages of his own original text followed by reproductions of Dolls photographs and press clippings. A direct outgrowth of articles Morrissey penned for various zines (among them KID'S STUFF and THE NEXT BIG THING), the future singer's "book-zine" appeared in 1981 from hometown publisher Babylon Books, a one-man operation headed by John Muir.
Muir has claimed the book sold upwards of 3000 copies, but if that is so, most of those were undoubtedly from this second printing issued to take advantage of The Smith's growing popularity and likely coinciding with the similarly motivated reprint of Morrissey's second book for Babylon, JAMES DEAN IS NOT DEAD (1983). Even accounting for this title's ephemeral production, however, with OCLC recording just two copies, we strongly suspect Muir's claims are inflated. Both printings (distinguishable only by the Babylon logo and price on the rear cover — the first printing utilizes an earlier all-text logo and a white text on black field price) are uncommon, as is a limited edition reprint issued in 1995.
It would be difficult to overstate the Dolls' influence on Morrissey's development as an artist. He was the president of their UK fan club; and their albums, performances, and perhaps most of all personae were foundational experiences for the young singer-songwriter. In his brief authorial biography, he puts it plainly: "The Dolls gave me a sense of uniqueness, as if they were my own personal discovery."
(Manchester): Babylon Books, (1981). 11.75'' x 8.25''. Original black and white pictorial wrappers. Offset printed. [44] pages. Guitar logo and black on white price to rear cover. Minor edgewear and light soil to covers.
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