THE COMPLETE MILO MILODRAGOVITCH & C.W. SUGHRUE NOVELS: THE WRONG CASE, THE LAST GOOD KISS, DANCING BEAR, THE MEXICAN TREE DUCK, BORDERSNAKES, THE FINAL COUNTRY, THE RIGHT MADNESS - INSCRIBED TO WILLIAM HJORTSBERG
New York: Various Publishers, 1975-2005. First Editions. Significant association copies of Crumley's complete novels featuring down-and-out detectives Milo Milodragovitch and C.W. Sughrue, set in fictional Meriwether, Montana. "Both are alcoholics and cocaine addicts; both are divorced war veterans who are fond of firearms, military tactics, and fistfights over small matters; both are loyal to moral codes at odds with those of conventional society; and both endure existential crises in the course of events" (Britannica). From the library of Montana author and screenwriter William "Gatz" Hjortsberg (1941-2017). Both men were friends, frequent collaborators, and central figures in the Montana Gang - a thriving community of authors and artists whose ranks included Jim Harrison, Richard Brautigan, Thomas McGuane, Russell Chatham, Jimmy Buffett, Peter Fonda, Don Carpenter, and others. During the last years of his life, Crumley would write the introduction to the Centipede Press reissue of Hjortsberg's supernatural detective novel Falling Angel. Hubin, p.101. Item #5184
1. The Wrong Case: A Novel. New York: Random House, 1975. First Printing. Octavo (21.75cm); light green paper and blue cloth-covered boards, with titling and author's initials stamped in silver on spine and front cover; dustjacket; [x],272,[6]pp. Signed by Crumley on the title page, and inscribed by him on the front endpaper to fellow Montana author, screenwriter, and outdoorsman William "Gatz" Hjortsberg: "Gatz - good times in all the odd towns / Best, Jim Crumley." Forward lean, touch of dust-soil to upper rear cover; Very Good+. Dustjacket is unclipped (priced $7.95), lightly edgeworn, with a few tiny tears, and a faint diagonal crease to rear flap; Near Fine.
2. The Last Good Kiss: A Novel. New York: Random House, 1978. First Printing. Octavo (21.75cm); brown paper-covered boards and maroon cloth backstrip, with titling and author's initials stamped in copper on spine and front cover; dustjacket; [x],259,[3]pp. Signed by the author on the title page, and inscribed on the front endpaper: "Gatz & Sharon / If it ain't Montana, it ain't shit / Best, Jim Crumley." Remainder mark neatly rubber-stamped on lower edge of textblock, else Near Fine in a Fine, unclipped dustjacket (priced $8.95).
3. Dancing Bear. New York: Random House, 1983. First Printing, without the "First Edition" statement on copyright page. Octavo (21.75cm); black paper and cloth-covered boards, with titling and author's initials stamped in copper on spine and front cover; dustjacket; [viii],228,[4]pp. Signed by the author twice on the title page, and inscribed by him on the front endpaper: "Gatz - All of everything / Jim." Fine in a very Near Fine dustjacket, unclipped (priced $12.95), with only a hint of sunning to spine panel. Laid into this copy are two notices on Random House stationary inviting the recipient to a private party at Pettler & Lieberman Booksellers in Los Angeles, in celebration of the novel's publication.
4. The Mexican Tree Duck. New York: The Mysterious Press, 1993. First Printing. Octavo (23.5cm); black paper-covered boards, with titles stamped in metallic red on spine; dustjacket; [viii],247,[1]pp. Inscribed by the author on the title page: "Gatz - Thanks for the years...Jim Crumley / 11/12/97 / Livingston." Fine in a Fine, unclipped dustjacket (priced $19.95).
5. Bordersnakes. New York: Mysterious Press, 1996. First Printing. Octavo (23.5cm); black paper-covered boards, with titles stamped in gilt on spine; dustjacket; [xii],320,[4]pp. Inscribed on the title page: "Gatz & Beth / Down here in the post-hippie days / Take care / Jim Crumley." Fine in a Fine, unclipped dustjacket (priced $22.00).
6. The Final Country. New York: Mysterious Press, 2001. First Printing. Octavo (23.5cm); white paper-covered boards, with titles stamped in black on spine; dustjacket; [x],310pp. Simply inscribed "Gatz" at upper margin of title page, signed by the author, with a small smiling face in between. Subtle tanning to text edges (as is common), else Fine in a Fine, unclipped dustjacket, with a gold sticker from the Country Bookshelf over the printed price. Laid into this copy is a pictorial invitation to the publication party and booksigning, sponsored by Fact & Fiction and held at the Foxglove Cottage Bed & Breakfast on October 19, 2001.
7. The Right Madness. New York: Viking, 2005. First Printing. Octavo (23.5cm); black paper-covered boards, with titling and author's initials stamped in yellow on spine and front cover; dustjacket; [xii],289,[3]pp. Signed by the author on the title page, and inscribed by him on the front endpaper: "Gatz - Bad times with great people / Jim Crumley / Bozeman." Fine in a Fine, unclipped dustjacket (priced $24.95).
Price: $3,750.00