Description:

Tennessee Williams
New York, NY, ca. 1945
Tennessee Williams Signed 1st Edition, 1st Printing of "The Glass Menagerie" in Lovely Custom Clamshell
Signed First Edition

Tennessee Williams (1911-1983). The Glass Menagerie. New York: Random House, 1945. First edition, stated first printing. Signed and inscribed on the front free endpaper, "For Lon Tinkle / Tennessee Williams." 124pp, 5" x 7.5". Bound in publisher's brick red cloth with gilt and black at spine. Isolated dampstaining to covers with very minor edge and corner wear. Toning and scattered areas of dampstaining to interior. Evidence of bookplate removal to front pastedown. Light cracking at lower portion of inner hinge. Complete with original unclipped dust jacket noting price of $2.00 at upper right of front flap. Jacket remains in very good condition with a few small professional repairs verso, minor water marks, and a gently sunned spine panel. Housed in a stunning custom book box measuring 6" x 8.25" x 1.25" with hand-painted onlays of two glass horses by the Dragonfly Bindery, whose unique custom boxes have sold at the world's leading auction houses, notably Christie's. A rare, desirable, and highly collectible copy of this literary landmark.

Julien Lon Tinkle (1906-1980) was a historian, writer, editor, book critic, and professor who specialized in the history of Texas. He went on to become an award-winning novelist, focusing mainly on the Southwest and its history. Tinkle was also very active in the Dallas arts community and founded several art programs, including the Margo Jones Theatre, the namesake of Margo Jones (1911-1955), who was co-director of the acclaimed first staging of "The Glass Menagerie," which proved to be a breakthrough production for both her and Williams.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 6" x 8.25" x 1.25"
  • Medium: Signed First Edition

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February 18, 2026 10:00 AM EST
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University Archives

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