Russ and Ada's Copy of Black Maria by Charles Addams

In 1960 when Charles Addams published the cartoon collection Black Maria, Uncle Fester was an as yet unnamed member of the Addams Family which, come to think of it, was also as yet unnamed. Not to worry—everyone would have a name by the time the 1964 television series was aired. The book's dust cover shows the ghoulish family as they are discovered enjoying a ride in a police van, also called a paddy wagon, also called a Black Maria.

Russ and Ada's copy, a first printing, was inscribed by the artist in New York in the year of publication. Addams inscribed it only to Russ. Ann and Wright, who presented the book as a gift, added Ada's name in a shaky hand meant to look like Addams's.

Fester meanwhile is lurking in the corner of the front free endpaper not quite undercover wearing an OSS cap. He clutches a dagger beneath his cloak, as one does.

The copyright page shows how important The New Yorker was to Addams, publishing the bulk of his work.

Charles Addams
AbeBooks listing acessed October 8, 2024

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=32006452903&searchurl=an%3DCharles%2BAddams%26ds%3D30%26rollup%3Don%26sortby%3D1%26tn%3DBlack%2BMaria&cm_sp=snippet-_-srp0-_-title1

Note:  This book is available from a Chicago bookseller at the time of posting. Most such books are nestled in private collections and come to the market maybe once in a generation. Of course, I'm happy to showcase important books personalized by Charles Addams even when they're not yet for sale. All I ask is for book collectors to send scans or photos of such Addams treasures along with whatever story they may know. Please send them by police van.

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