FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS - MOCK-UP FOR THE FRONT COVER OF THE 1971 RANDOM HOUSE EDITION
[New York: Random House, 1972]. Item #7666
Original mock-up for the front cover of the 1972 Random House edition of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, featuring Ralph Steadman's illustration of Thompson as his surrogate character "Raoul Duke." Photostatically reproduced illustration (ca.3.5" x 6"), spine titling, and publisher's logo arranged and mounted to a sheet of Sutton illustration board (measuring 11.75" x 15"), with translucent paper overlay hinged with clear tape along the upper margin. The overlay has editorial design notes in three hands (in pen, graphite, and red and blue pencil) regarding the color of paper and cloth, with directions to deboss the image of Thompson onto the front cover. Subtle toning and some expected finger and dust-soil to overlay, which has several tears and losses to extremities; minor bumping and softening to corners (though still sharp), with a bit of dried glue residue seeping from beneath the mounted typographic and pictorial onlays. Very well preserved.
A rare survivor from the production of the Random House edition of Thompson's best-known book, featuring what is perhaps the most iconic of the many images of the author – bucket hat, tinted aviator glasses, bespoke cigarette holder, Hawaiian shirt, and a briefcase filled with illicit substances. As close to the point of production one can get to one of the defining books of the 1970s. 7666.
Price: $17,500.00