THE FIVE-FOLD MESH

New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1938. First edition. INSCRIBED and SIGNED by the author on the half-title page to Eda Lou Walton, "For Eda Lou, with my inexpressible gratitude for the best pieces in the book and the death of the Ice-Age. Affectionately, Ben." The printed dedication to the last section of the book, "IV: Many Cradles: Personal Legend," is "For E. L. W." -- presumably Walton. New York Times book review slip laid in with Walton's name penciled on the back, and Walton's signature is on the front endpaper. Paperclip impression to top of review slip and first few pages, with a touch of rust offset to front pastedown. Altogether very good or better with unavoidable offset from the binding glue to the hinges. Walton, then a New York University professor and poet herself, was mistress and muse to Henry Roth, author of CALL IT SLEEP, and that book's dedicatee.