The Kingdom of Earth with Hard Candy: A Book of Stories

WILLIAMS, Tennessee

Published by New Directions, [New York], 1954

About this Item

First edition. Unbound 20-page gathering (unopened) and accompanying cancel title leaf. The gathering prints the short story, "The Kingdom of Earth", including the half-title: pp. [2 (half-title)] 225-242. Fine. This unbound gathering and replacement (cancel) title leaf was printed for insertion into a limited edition of *Hard Candy: A Book of Stories*. When the first edition of *Hard Candy* was published, Williams had wanted to include "Kingdom of Earth". However, because of its provocative content (a tubercular dandy dies while his ex-prostitute wife and his Cherokee half-brother ignore his pleas for help and instead have passionate sex in the next room), the publisher New Directions convinced Williams to accept a compromise. Williams agreed to publish the first edition without Kingdom of Earth, but demanded that a signed limited edition including the story be published that same year. Thus, a signed limited edition of 100 stated copies was made up with original sheets from the first edition of *Hard Candy*, a cancel title page: "The Kingdom of Earth with Hard Candy" (with a signed limitation statement on the verso), and the story inserted at the back. This copy of the cancel title leaf is not signed by Williams. Williams later adapted the story into both a play of the same name, and ultimately into the longer play *The Seven Descents of Myrtle* (in which the half-brother is African-American rather than Native American). Rare. Seller Inventory # 337569

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Kingdom of Earth with Hard Candy: A Book...

Publisher: New Directions, [New York]

Publication Date: 1954

Binding: Softcover

Condition: Fine

Edition: 1st Edition