"PLEASE LOOK AFTER MY DEAREST LITTLE FRIEND JOANNE FOR ME": ONE CHRISTMAS, WONDERFULLY INSCRIBED BY TRUMAN CAPOTE

CAPOTE, Truman. One Christmas. New York: Random House, (1983). Octavo, original maroon cloth, original slipcase with mounted cover plate. $12,000.

First trade edition of Capote's heartwarming childhood recollection, inscribed by him to a television director and mentioning his close friend Joanne Carson, "For John and Joy, two very special people. please look after my dearest little friend Joanne for me. love, Truman."

One Christmas tells the redemptive story of a young Capote's first Christmas with his estranged father. The photographic illustration on the slipcase pictures a young Truman seated on his father's lap. This copy is inscribed to television director John Miller and his wife Joy. In the 1980s Miller directed "Alive and Well," an afternoon show co-hosted by Joanne Carson, Johnny Carson's ex-wife, with whom both Miller and Capote were friends. Capote's friendship with Joanne Carson was legendary, and she was one of the few socialites who didn't abandon Capote after the publication of "La Côte Basque 1965" in 1975, a piece featuring thinly veiled portraits of high society women. Capote died in 1984 while staying at Carson's guest house. Laid into this copy is a typed letter signed by Miller explaining his relationship with Carson and the circumstances of receiving the volume, and a photograph of Capote with Miller.

Fine condition.