“WHY DO I WRITE AS I DO? AS WELL ASK: WHY AM I MYSELF?”

PORTER, Katherine Anne. Flowering Judas. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company, (1930). Octavo, original half brown cloth, dust jacket. $950.

Limited first edition of the author’s first collection of short stories, one of only 600 copies, affectionately inscribed by Porter on the dedication leaf: “For James —— with all good wishes. Remembering again the wonderful day I first saw this little book, October 1930. Katherine Anne Porter, Roxbury Road, 25 May 1956. Why do I write as I do? As well ask: why am I myself? Sorry. I don’t know the answer to either of these questions! K.A.P.”

In addition to the title story, this collection contains the stories "Maria Concepción," "Magic," "Rope," "He," and "The Jilting of Granny Weatherall." The publication of Flowering Judas "immediately won [Porter] a critical reputation as a pure stylist who handled complex subjects with economy, while penetrating the psychology of characters with great subtlety" (Hart, 320). In 1966 Porter was awarded a National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize. With the publisher's yellow limitation slip designed to hang across the top of the upper board laid in; without scarce original glassine. Small booklabel of renowned mid-20th-century New York rare bookseller Philip C. Duschnes on rear pastedown.

Lettering on spine toned, as often with this book. Near-fine condition.