Mailer, Norman

Advertisements for Myself

New York, NY, USA: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1959. First Edition, First Printing. Hardcover. "The way to save your work and reach more readers is to advertise yourself." (Norman Mailer, pg. 21). Advertisements for Myself is an omnibus collection of fiction, essays, verse, and fragments by American novelist, journalist & Pulitzer Prize winner Norman Mailer (1923-2007), with autobiographical commentaries that he calls "advertisements." Advertisements for Myself was published in 1959 after Mailer secured his reputation with 1948's The Naked and the Dead, then endured setbacks with the less-enthusiastic reception of Barbary Shore (see Item No. 6427) in 1951 and The Deer Park in 1955, and marks the beginning of Mailer's mature style. Mailer gives readers his perspective, at age 36, on his writing, other writers, and the state of the nation. He believes his work, present and future, will be a key influence on those practicing his craft and in pulling together this collection of short novels, short stories, essays & advertisements; he's making his case and showing how he's matured as a writer over the years. While not initially famous to the overall public, Advertisements for Myself appealed to certain Beat Generation members, specifically Michael McClure (1932-2020), and Mailer even went as far as testifying against the censoring of William S. Burroughs’ (1914-1997) novel, Naked Lunch, (see Item No.s 3487, 8304, & 8306) which helped to eventually clear the author from American censorship in 1966. Many also believed that this work gave Mailer a new audience and helped set the stage for the Beat Generation, as it gave way to a new movement through the voices of the younger generation. It is now considered the peak of Mailer's "New Journalism" literary career, often being cited as his most remembered work. From the collection of Laurence Goldstein (1943-2023), a renowned poet, author, critic, editor & academician here at the University of Michigan. Hardcover in Dust Jacket: First edition, first printing though neither explicated as such at copyright page. A rare & most collectible collection of Mailer fiction & essays in its rarest contemporary form, with distinguished provenance. Book in relatively near fine condition with mild rubbing, scratching, spot-staining & age-toning to front, back covers & spine; mild bumping of corners to same; mild smudging & scratching with mild-to-moderate age-toning to text block. Interior fine with mild-to-moderate age-toning and some bumping of corners to page leaves. Dust Jacket near fine with minor scratching, rubbing & wear to front, back covers & spine; moderate age-toning mostly to fine edges of same; small enclosed tears/chipping to same. Near Fine. [Item #8501]

Price: $100.00