His First Novel

A BEAR FOR THE F.B.I.

By Melvin Van Peebles

(1968)

Inscribed first edition in English of this "elegiac reminiscence" (NEW YORK TIMES) of a midwestern Black childhood — inscribed to "To / Gene / My Buddy / and right / arm,"; likely his producer, Gene Wolsk.

Fine in very good plus dust jacket.

Price: $1,000.00

A BEAR FOR THE F.B.I.

"This book is dedicated to just about everybody except the sonofabitches who were always telling me 'You can't.'"

"As a businessman, Melvin is in class with Jean Paul Getty and the Rockefeller family," Gene Wolsk said of Van Peebles in 1972 (NEW YORK TIMES). Their close relationship resulted in the multiple Tony Award-nominated AIN'T SUPPOSED TO DIE A NATURAL DEATH, a musical written and scored by Van Peebles and produced by Wolsk. An attractive copy illuminating an important period in Van Peebles's career.

Read more: Mel Gussow, "The Baadasssss Success of Melvin Van Peebles," New York Times 20 August 1972.

The Object

New York: Trident Press, (1968). 8.25'' x 5''. Original cloth-backed boards with silver spine lettering. Original unclipped ($4.50) black, white, and red pictorial dust jacket, designed by Lawrence Ratzkin. Black topstain. 158 pages. Inscribed by Van Peebles to dedication page, "To / Gene / My Buddy / and right / arm from / Melvin." Jacket with mild edgewear, a bit of rubbing. Tight and clean.

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