#10015 Lord John Signatures

Lord John Signatures - With an Introduction by Stephen King

Presentation copy autograph album signed by many

"Presentation copy" bound in gilt-lettered brown cloth (instead of the navy blue cloth of the final numbered & signed edition). The book is an autograph album, with photos of various authors, and signed by each author next to their photo.

However, this presentation copy actually contains fewer authors than the final production did. Also note, the cover is stamped with the title "Autographs" instead of "Signatures," another difference. Herb Yellin, the publisher, spoke about how he had serious production woes with this title, and this particular presentation copy is believed to be a byproduct of an earlier failed production run.

This version still has the introduction by Stephen King and is signed by Stephen King on the last page of his intro. It is also signed by James Lee Burke, Harry Crews, Dennis Etchison, William Everson, Gerald R. Ford, Richard Ford, Bruce Francis, Ellen Gilchrist, Jim Harrison, Tony Hillerman, William Kennedy, Ursula K. LeGuin, John L'Heureux, Elmore Leonard, Thomas McGuane, Norman Mailer, Eudora Welty, Donald E. Westlake, and Richard Yates.

In addition, this copy is also signed / inscribed by several other authors, though not called for. They include: Elmore Leonard (again), Ray Bradbury, Ross Thomas, John Hersey, Dan Simmons, and William F. Nolan. All except for Simmons and Nolan have inscribed the book to "Mika Babcock." Elmore Leonard writes: "For Mika Babcock / The most unusual autograph / book I've ever autographed." Ray Bradbury has added a drawing of a ghost on the title page as part of his inscription. John Hersey writes: "For Mika Babcock / These pages suggest a lot of footsteps to follow. / Happy stepping. / John Hersey."

Finally, there is a section of facsimile autographs in the back of the book, most of which were from the publisher Herb Yellin's personal collection, including Douglas MacArthur, Gandhi, Einstein, Charlie Chaplin, Humphrey Bogart, Ted Williams, and many other impressive treasures.

A unique item. Elmore Leonard said it best, a "most usual autograph book."


Hardcover. First Edition, Signed Limited Edition, Presentation Copy. Oblong quarto (10-1/2" x 7-1/2"), cloth boards. Northridge, CA: Lord John Press, 1991. ISBN: 093571653x. #10015.
Very good.