Oulipo, the poetry of which was based on mathematical patterns. He “produced some of the most important prose and poetry of the mid-20th century . . . From Queneau’s Surrealist period in the 1920s he retained a taste for verbal juggling, a tendency toward black humour, and a derisive posture toward authority. His puns, sneers, spelling extravaganzas, and other linguistic contortions concealed a total pessimism, an obsession with death” ( Ency. Brit. ). He authored the modernist novel Exercises in Style , telling the same story in 99 forms. 2 works, sextodecimo. Original marbled wrappers, gilt paper label to front covers. Slight chip to label of Island Song , very minor handling creasing, still in excellent condition. £1,500 [153799] 99 PUZO, Mario. The Godfather. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1969 Inscribed to a significant lawyer and literary agent First edition, first printing, advance review copy, with an excellent provenance: inscribed playfully by the author on the front free endpaper, “For Gene and Ina, who I hope will keep me from going to jail and/or/ spending all my money. Best, Mario Puzo”. Eugene Winick was a partner at law firm Ernst, Cane, Gitlin, & Winick, where Puzo was a client. The Manhattan-based firm of Ernst, Cane, Gitlin, & Winick came to prominence in the 1960s and early 1970s by negotiating innovative publishing and copyright deals. They were instrumental in reshaping the economics of the book industry, and their star- studded roster of clients included William Burroughs and Ayn Rand. Puzo was the client of Winick’s partner Paul Gitlin. Winick (1936–2020) would go on to be president of McIntosh & Otis literary agency, where his clients included Mary Higgins Clark, Harper Lee, and the estate of John Steinbeck. His wife Dr Ina Winick (1936–2015) was an educational professional who worked with her husband at McIntosh & Otis after her retirement in 2001. Presentation copies of Puzo’s famous book are scarce and this is a particularly desirable example. Octavo. Original black wrappers with flaps, spine and covers lettered in white and red, orange endpapers, fore edge untrimmed. Loosely inserted is an envelope addressed to “Gene Winick 5 West 45 St, NYC NY”, stamped
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and franked April 1972. Spine toned, split to foot of spine and front flap fold, wrappers creased and rubbed, extremities nicked, a few chips to foot of rear wrapper, trivial stains to first few leaves. A very good copy, internally fresh, trivial marks to verso of envelope. ¶ John H. Allan, “Profits of ‘The Godfather’”, The New York Times , 16 April 1972. £7,500 [157233]
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All items are fully described and photographed at peterharrington.co.uk
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