Soldiers' Pay. First Edition signed by Faulkner's Mother, Maud Falkner. Together with: review of SOLDIERS' PAY, sent to his mother, and SIGNED BY FAULKNER AS "BILLY"

FAULKNER, William

Published by Boni and Liveright, New York, 1926

About this Item

Review of William Faulkner's first novel, Soldiers' Pay, in The Literary Digest International Book Review (1927), by Louis Kronenberger, sent by Faulkner to his mother. With a brief tiny handwritten annotation by Faulkner in black ink at the conclusion of the review: "Getting along well. Billy." Also included is a contemporary typescript of another early review of Soldiers' Pay (from The Times Picayune, by John McLure). Provenance of this material: Dean Faulkner Wells. Together with: First edition of the book, signed by Maud Falkner in ink on the title. Dark blue publisher's cloth, lettered in yellow, blue patterned endpapers (sporadic minor stains and spots, largely concentrated at margins; gently worn but sturdy. Faulkner's first novel was published largely due to the efforts of Sherwood Anderson (1876-1941), who recommended both the present novel and Faulkner's second work, Mosquitoes, to his own publisher. One notes that Maud Falkner spells her name without the "u" that Faulkner adopted as a writer. Before his literary career, Mississippi-born Faulkner attempted to join the Canadian RAF by passing himself off as British. To do so, he added the "u" to his surname which was originally spelled "Falkner," and by some accounts feigned a British accent during his interview. His family retained the original spelling, which appears here in his mother's signature. Massey 304; Petersen A2a. Provenance of the book: Swann Galleries 2025. A wonderful pairing bringing together family relics at the start of the career of one of America's greatest writers.

Seller Inventory # 4786

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Soldiers' Pay. First Edition signed by Faulkner's Mother, Maud Falkner. Together with: review of SOLDIERS' PAY, sent to his mother, and SIGNED BY FAULKNER AS "BILLY"
• Publisher: Boni and Liveright, New York
• Publication Date: 1926
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First Edition.
• Condition: Very Good
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • Fiction / Literature