The Orchard Keeper (Signed & Inscribed)

The Orchard Keeper, Cormac McCarthy. New York: Ballantine Books Inc., May, 1969. First Printing of this edition signed and with an amazing inscription For Liz, With Love. Liz is Lizabeth Kidwell, the wife of Knoxville artist Bill Kidwell. McCarthy and the Kidwells were good friends beginning in 1963 when Bill and Cormac first met. In 1969 when this volume was published they were living next door to one another in Rockford, TN. The pair collaborated on two mosaic sidewalks in the downtown Maryville, TN area. . Original wrappers slightly worn with a closed tear, more like a crack as there is no loss, on the front cover. Trace rubbing. Signed with an early hand, likely early 70 s. A VG copy. A really great connection here on this one. Signed copies from McCarthy s Appalachia period, particularly to friends and close associates are very hard to come by. A special copy.