A Presidential Copy of Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72 by Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

Raptis Rare Books of Palm Beach offers a thrice-signed copy of Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72, by Dr. Hunter S. Thompson with illustrations by Ralph Steadman (who knows better than to call himself "doctor"). Author and illustrator have signed the title page. The page opposite is signed by Jimmy Carter. One assumes that the president's signature was obtained at a later date than the other two. 

Readers should feel free to guess the asking price before scrolling down. Hint: shipping is free. 

By the way, that striking cover and title illustration is not by Steadman but by poster artist Thomas W. Benton. It's a harrowing comment on America's involvement in the Vietnam War. Thompson's coverage of the 1972 Nixon vs. McGovern campaign was published in installments in Rolling Stone and collected in book form the following year. 

Hunter S. Thompson and Ralph Steadman
AbeBooks listing accessed July 3, 2025

https://www.abebooks.com/signed-first-edition/Fear-Loathing-Campaign-Trail-72-Thompson/32233892591/bd?cm_ven=nl&cm_cat=trg&cm_pla=want_CM&ref_=pe_aep_AEP_wants_buyer-wants&cm_ite=viewbook

Hunter S. Thompson and Ralph Steadman
AbeBooks item description

04998

Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72 Signed by Ralph Steadman

Hunter S. Thompson's uniquely incisive coverage of the 1972 Presidential election (Nixon vs. McGovern) was published in installments in Rolling Stone in 1972 and collected in book form in 1973. It is illustrated by the formidable Ralph Steadman. The artist has signed a copy to Stephen Parr and taken Thomas W. Benton's Vietnam War-era image of the helmeted American GI skull whose eyeglasses reflect a rising swastika—nothing tame here—and amended it by adding a rudimentary pair of horns. While this barely qualifies as a drawing, it does manage to make the book's central image look even more sinister.

Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing:  On the Campaign Trail '72, 1973

Inscribed at a signing in 2006 with a drawing of horns on the Benton skull "For Stephen Parr~/Ralph Steadman"

Note:  "A Retrospective:  Ralph Steadman" is now on view at the Society of Illustrators. It will remain in New York through October 22 only. Don't miss it.

I'm always on the lookout for original art by Ralph Steadman that escaped the clutches of the artist, or for original scribblings and spatterings in books, letters, and such. If you've got something to share with the world here on the old blog, please don't treat me with fear and loathing.


Attempted Bloggery's quick links:

Ralph Steadman

Hunter S. Thompson

Rolling Stone

Signed Books with Drawings

Attempted Bloggery's fearful and loathsome index

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