First printing of the "Completely Outstanding Edition" of Birnbach's terrifyingly influential guide to the Prep mysteries.
Very good in near fine slicpase.
Price: $350.00
"The Right Shoes give you a fighting chance. The wrong shoes will break you instantly."
This wildly successful key to the closed world of the Preppy was both satire and genuine (life)style guide, demystifying the traditional cultural practices of Northeastern elites from their trouser silhouettes to their sexual double standards. A collaborative project headed by then-21-year-old VILLAGE VOICE writer Birnbach, the PREPPY HANDBOOK gave away its subjects' secrets without quite undermining their moneyed allure (on the contrary, the HANDBOOK is said to have inspired the founder of J.Crew), and its detailed catalogue of Prep life from cradle to grave may still be relied upon by the social climber who wishes to infiltrate the duller parts of Connecticut. The true first edition appeared in paperback the year before and this slipcased version (the first hardcover edition) was quickly issued to capitalize on its success. Both are now scarce, especially so signed. A lovely copy of this quintessential 1980s book: not flashy, but handsome, well-made, and quietly tasteful.
First edition thus. New York: Workman Publishing, (1981). 8.25'' x 5.5''. Original gilt-stamped red cloth. In original slipcase. 224 pages. Photography by Robin Holland, illustrations by Oliver Williams. Very slight sunning and wear to spine. Bit of starting just after the title page. Touches of wear to of slipcase. Else clean and sound.
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