USEFUL KNOWLEDGE
First edition of Stein's collection of experimental portraits and linguistic investigations — in the uncommon original jacket.
Very good minus in very good minus jacket.
Price: $250.00
USEFUL KNOWLEDGE
"Useful Knowledge is pleasant and therefore it is very much to be enjoyed"
Representing her mature period of radical innovation, USEFUL KNOWLEDGE exemplifies Stein's practice of "prolonged" or "continuous present" writing which aimed to capture the essence of experience — rather than its mere description. In addition, the book was in many ways a direct challenge to critics opposed to her experimental approaches: "The 1928 publication USEFUL KNOWLEDGE is part of Gertrude Stein's response to a mid-1920's dispute over her authorship. On one side of this debate, Stein's oeuvre is figured as 'imbecilic,' and, on the other, it is presented as manifesting a new type of 'intelligence' emerging with modern democracy [...] The 1928 material Stein produces to frame USEFUL KNOWLEDGE, a collection of pieces written between 1919 and 1926, offers a defense [...] by presenting her work as exemplary of a democratized American intellect." A handsome production, featuring the scarce original dust jacket's (uncredited) bold modernist typography.
Read more: Parkinson, "Democrat or 'Imbecile'? Gertrude Stein's Useful Knowledge..." in Journal of Modern Literature, Vol. 43, No. 3, Spring 2020; Wilson, Gertrude Stein: A Bibliography, A12.
The Object
First printing. New York: Payson & Clarke, (1928). 9.25'' x 5.75''. Original full black cloth. In original unclipped (no price, as issued) printed jacket. [6], 210 pages — plus two publisher ads bound at the front. Jacket moderately toned, rubbed, and soiled with some edgewear and splitting here and there. Book slightly bowed and a little musty. Stein to front endpaper. Offsetting to final page. Overall sound and complete.
The Fine Print
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