Toni Morrison, signed and inscribed

The Bluest Eye
Toni Morrison, signed and inscribed
MORRISON, Toni (1931-2019). The Bluest Eye. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1970.

Presentation copy, first edition of the author's first book, signed and inscribed on the half-title: "for Eunice Hickey / Regards / Toni Morrison." Morrison's sensational debut novel warranted great critical acclaim, but it was not until her third novel that she became a steady best-seller and fine copies of her first book are rare. To quote the jacket flap, "This is a love story—but there isn't much love in it."

Octavo. Original quarter cloth over boards (touch of sunning); dust jacket with author photo (light toning to jacket, slightly more pronounced on front flap); custom quarter morocco box. Provenance: Eunice Hickey (inscription).