Robert Reisner, 1962

REISNER, Robert. Byrd: the Legend of Charlie Parker. New York: The Citadel Press, 1962.

Inscribed by the author to Lenny Bruce, who later inscribes the volume… in blood. Robert Reisner was the manager of the Open Door in Greenwich who hosted Charlie Parker on numerous occasions in the early 1950s. This volume consists of a series of reminisces by Parker's contemporaries on the saxophonists storied career. Reisner has inscribed the book: "For the wildest soloist today - Lenny Bruce keep walin' Bob Reisner." Later, Bruce, apparently under the influence, has inscribed it to a girlfriend in blood, signing "Le[nn]y B." [With:] a ink and colored pencil drawing apparently accomplished by Bruce and described by Reese as "some mescaline god." Provenance: Robert Reisner (inscription) – Lenny Bruce (inscriptions) – an unknown girlfriend – Peter Howard, New York Book Fair 1974.

Quarto (260 x 180mm). (Rear endpapers and pastedown toned from news clippings). Black cloth (rubbed at extremities, spine loose).