Thurber, James, and E.B. White. Is Sex Necessary? Or Why You Feel The Way You Do

New York and London: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1929. Thirteenth Printing. 8vo. xxix, (iii), 197, (1) pp. Presentation copy, humorously inscribed by both Thurber and White to Margaret Thurlow, at the time a secretary and copy editor at The New Yorker: "For Margaret Thurlow this book has an ancient theme, now almost forgotten. / EB White" and "Yeh, as forgotten as Lincoln's Gettysburg address. / as ever / James Thurber." With an additional drawing of a couple embracing with a concerned looking dog at their feet, by Thurber, on front paste-down, inscribed by him, "Sex 1940 TH". Publisher's quarter black cloth over brown paper-covered boards, extremities and boards worn and faded, gilt on spine faded; rear hinge starting; frontispiece loose; in orange cloth slip case and chemise. From the library of William S. Reese, and with his book-plate on inner front panel of chemise.

A charming presentation copy, inscribed by James Thurber and E.B. White to Margaret Thurlow, secretary and copy editor at The New Yorker. Thurlow worked in this position for 10 years, and among her many responsibilities, assisted the office manager in handling Thurber's correspondence from readers and publishers. Thurber and White joined The New Yorker staff in 1927, and it was White who discovered Thurber's drawings and had them first published. They would both contribute to the magazine for decades, and White would go on to publish such classics as Stuart Little (1945) and Charlotte's Web (1952).

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

Provenance

Christie's, New York, The Private Collection of William S. Reese Part Three, June 2, 2022, Sale 20530, Lot 425

From the collection of Justin G. Schiller

Thurber, James, and E.B. White. Is Sex Necessary? Or Why You Feel The Way You Do

Thurber, James, and E.B. White. Is Sex Necessary? Or Why You Feel The Way You Do