Going Somewhere

New York, Alfred A Knopf, 1933, hardcover, 256 pp, First Edition stated, First Printing, Association copy Signed and Inscribed by the Author on the front endpaper "To Kay Francis - all admiration - Max Ewing" and dated "New York, December 1932" Very Good condition, lacking dustjacket. Straight, tight and clean with no markings, slightly rolled and faded spine, nicks to top edge of front board and head of spine, two small holes and edge nicks to front endpaper, small split to paper at front hinge. The many accomplishments of this multi-talented pianist, composer, novelist, poet, sculptor, and photographer were overshadowed by his homosexuality and his unlikely friendship with the prize fighter Jack Pollock. Max's suicide in 1934, at the age of 31, adds drama and sadness to this remarkable man's mostly happy but short life during which Max mingled with dozens of artists, authors, composers, musicians, politicians, stage and movie stars, and wealthy families in Europe, New York, and Hollywood. An American stage and film actress, Kay Francis starred in more than 60 feature films during her illustrious Hollywood career. She came to exemplify the ideal of 'Flaming Youth' popular during the 20s and 30s which ties in nicely with the themes and preoccupations of the characters of the book, a light-hearted account of the travels of the Princesse Angele de Villfranche through the bohemian haunts of Paris, London, and New York.