Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values

Pirsig, Robert M.

Published by William Morrow & Company, New York, 1974

About this Item

First edition, first printing. A fantastic association copy signed by Robert M. Pirsig and inscribed the day of publication, "Dear Sally and Chad / Really good to watch Zen grow with you. This is just the beginning. [signed] Robert Pirsig April 15, 1974." And it would be just the beginning--the "Zen" Pirsig is referring to here has nothing to do with motorcycle maintenance but instead the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center. Pirsig was a co-founder of the Center and instrumental in its growth, especially through the publication of this book and the proceeds it would generate. Fellow practitioners Sally and Chad Breckenridge were involved in the MZMC during its nascent days as well; in 1975 Chad and Pirsig collaborated on a fundraising brochure for the Center which Pirsig wrote the text and Chad contributed photographs.The MZMC was founded in 1972 by Dainin Katagiri Roshi, who was invited to come to Minneapolis by a small but growing group of practitioners, many of whom had ties to the San Francisco Zen Center where Katagiri had served as a priest. Upon first arriving, Katagiri held zazen and services on the second floor of a 4-plex apartment building in South East Minneapolis, establishing himself as the first Zen teacher to settle in the Midwest. (Katagiri officiated Chad and Sally's marriage ceremony in 1973.)The burgeoning group officially incorporated in December 1973, several months before Pirsig's book would be published. By May 1975, the MZMC had raised enough funds, aided partially by royalties from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, to purchase the white stucco house at 3343 East Bde Maka Ska Parkway, where group still resides today. The MZMC's official opening ceremony was held on February 1, 1976. While Pirsig did not practice orthodox Zen Buddhism, he drew great inspiration from it in life and while developing of his theory of Metaphysics of Quality introduced in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Bound in publisher's black paper-covered boards over black spine cloth lettered in silver. Near Fine with typical lean to binding, light fading to spine ends, light soiling to front board; light scratch and minor dampstain to top edge of textblock. In a Near Fine unclipped dust jacket with light toning and wear. Chad's business card laid in. A fantastic association copy of this modern classic.

Seller Inventory # 140948537

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company, New York
• Publication Date: 1974
• Edition: First Edition.
• Condition: Near Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • Literature
  • Signed
  • Association Copies
  • Philosophy