Sean Thackrey's Copy of Doodaaa: The Balletic Art of Gavin Twinge by Ralph Steadman

Doodaaa:  The Balletic Art of Gavin Twinge (2002) is, I believe, Ralph Steadman's satirical prose take on the arts in general and Dada in particular. It is billed as "a triography" as it includes his alter ego. The copy inscribed to California winemaker Sean Thackrey has a very nice drawing of a wine glass with a face and, for good measure, Steadman includes a stirrer. Moe's Books offered this volume for $125 on Thursday and it quickly sold.

Sold!

Ralph Steadman
AbeBooks listing sold October 16, 2025

https://www.abebooks.com/signed-first-edition/DooDaaa-Balletic-Art-Gavin-Twinge-Ralph/32321590927/bd?cm_ven=nl&cm_cat=trg&cm_pla=want_CM&ref_=pe_aep_AEP_wants_buyer-wants&cm_ite=viewbook_low

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Ralph Steadman
AbeBooks item description

October 29, 2025 Update:  Based on other personalized Steadman books listed online, I have corrected the recipient's name and given him a vocation according to his 2022 New York Times obituary..

05094

"Bad Craziness!" The Joke's Over Signed by Ralph Steadman

On August 27, I came across the best copy I've seen of The Joke's Over, illustrator Ralph Steadman's singular account of his tumultuous friendship with gonzo writer and collaborator Hunter S. Thompson. The book's half-title page has a hand-drawn, stylized caricature of Thompson, readily identified by his cigarette holder. In this instance, he has a red nose as well. The words "BAD CRAZINESS!" in all caps are emblazoned by Steadman across the top of the image.

The was listed on AbeBooks by Arches Bookhouse of Portland, Oregon, with a pricetag of $165.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it has since been sold.

Ralph Steadman
AbeBooks listing ended before September 24, 2025

https://www.abebooks.com/signed-first-edition/Jokes-Over-Bruised-Memories-Gonzo-Hunter/32279183067/bd?cm_ven=nl&cm_cat=trg&cm_pla=want_CM&ref_=pe_aep_AEP_wants_buyer-wants&cm_ite=viewbook

05074

A Signed Copy of Two Cats In America by Mischa Damjan andRalph Steadman

Scott Burns writes with scans of a very special book from his own collection. Two Cats In America (1970) is written by Mischa Damjan and illustrated by Ralph Steadman, who added a drawing to this copy.

All copies of the book have the printed dedication to Steadman's wife Ann, but this one has something more, that I don't quite understand. And there's a drawing of a patriotic, American cat. 

Note:  My thanks to Scott Burns for sending these wonderful images which arrived, as usual, completely unexpected. This is his twentieth contribution to the blog. Scott maintains the world's most comprehensive bibliography of the work of Ralph Steadman which readers who love cats and otherwise can access here. He is also the enterprising proprietor of Armadillo & Dicker books, a.k.a. Burns Bizarre, a.k.a. Books on Main. He's not one to simply pick a name and settle on it.

05031

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

Audrey Adams's Copy of No Room to Swing a Cat by Ralph Steadman

Ralph Steadman, the ever-inventive illustrator, personalized a copy of No Room to Swing a Cat (1989) to his editor Audrey Adams. He turned her first name into a drawing of what is, very likely, a cat. The signature is dated the 15th of May, in the year, again very likely, 1989, when the hardback edition was first released.

Ralph Steadman
AbeBooks listing accessed February 20, 2025

https://www.abebooks.com/signed-first-edition/ROOM-SWING-CAT-STEADMAN-Ralph-London/30379160448/bd

Ralph Steadman
AbeBooks item description

04920

Ralph Steadman: No Room to Swing a Cat—But Room to Draw One

Meier and Sons Rare Books of New Canaan is offering a scarce original souvenir drawing from a copy of Ralph Steadman's No Room to Swing a Cat (1989, 1991).

Steadman made the drawing of a cat and signed it in 2006. It covers two pages, which were removed from the book together. 

The facing pages have been framed and glazed.

The drawing is made in black ink around a printed color half title.

A certificate of authenticity is included for those who value such things. I don't think the authorship is in question here.

 

As a collector, I prefer such drawings to remain between the covers, but then I am not the target audience. The price is $2,495 plus shipping. Again, I'm not the target audience.

Ralph Steadman

AbeBooks listing accessed April 19, 2025

https://www.abebooks.com/signed-first-edition/RALPH-STEADMAN--ORIGINAL-WHIMSICAL-INK-DRAWING/32181420331/bd?cm_ven=nl&cm_cat=trg&cm_pla=want_CM&ref_=pe_aep_AEP_wants_buyer-wants&cm_ite=viewbook#&gid=1&pid=1

Ralph Steadman

AbeBooks item description

For reference, here's an undated but intact copy previously sold on eBay. It is archived on WorthPoint here. I do not know for what price the book was sold.

And one more:

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1st-ed-1991-signed-sketch-ralph-498030680

04919

Christen's Copy of Emergency Mouse by Bernard Stone and Ralph Steadman

Christen's copy of Emergency Mouse, Bernard Stone's 1978 storybook, was signed by illustrator Ralph Steadman in September of 1994. Steadman added a drawing of the mouse with the dedication line serving as the rodent's mouth.

Ralph Steadman
AbeBooks listing accessed February 15, 2025

https://www.abebooks.com/signed/Emergency-Mouse-Signed-decorated-drawing-illustrator/32131585153/bd?cm_ven=nl&cm_cat=trg&cm_pla=want_CM&ref_=pe_aep_AEP_wants_buyer-wants&cm_ite=viewbook

Ralph Steadman
AbeBooks item description

04887

Damn the Good Doktor: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson and Ralph Steadman

A first edition copy of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream (1971) by Hunter S. Thompson is signed by the book's illustrator, Ralph Steadman. He includes a striking color drawing of Thompson, his friend and collaborator, about whom he writes, "Damn the Good Doktor." Thompson never earned a genuine doctorate but he appropriated the title anyway.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
AbeBooks listing accessed February 2, 2025

https://www.abebooks.com/signed-first-edition/FEAR-LOATHING-VEGAS-HUNTER-THOMPSON-Random/32116644651/bd#&gid=1&pid=5

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
AbeBooks item description

 

04868

Ralph Steadman: A Letter to George Newson

Illustrator Ralph Steadman's typed letter to composer and photographer George Newson (1932-2024) is dated February 22, 1991. In just a couple of lines, he seemingly confirms a forthcoming art show and reassures Newson that "Of course we can find work to exhibit." It is rare for any commercial artist, even one of Steadman's stature, not to have a reasonable quantity of unsold work on hand.

Newson passed away on March 8 of this year and items from his estate are now on the market. At the time of this posting, the letter, embellished with a face and typed on Steadman's stationery, is available from Wool House Autographic.

Ralph Steadman
AbeBooks listing accessed July 5, 2024

https://www.abebooks.com/paper-collectibles/letter-drawing-Ralph-Steadman-na/31917244972/bd?cm_ven=nl&cm_cat=trg&cm_pla=want_CM&ref_=pe_aep_AEP_wants_buyer-wants&cm_ite=viewbook

04682

Andrea Wirt's Copy of Teddy! Where Are You? by Ralph Steadman

Teddy! Where Are You? (1994) is the story of Christopher, an old and worn teddy bear who has gone missing. Ralph Steadman is both author and illustrator. The very special copy we see today was created in response to a supposed attorney's letter from one "Mr. Sprocket" of the law office Flywheel, Shyster, and Flywheel, a firm name obviously borrowed from an old Marx Brothers radio program. This communication, then, alleged that Christopher is modeled too closely on another teddy named Sir Bear. Steadman responded good-naturedly with an original studio illustration in a presentation copy of the book made out to this Sir Bear and his owner, Andrea Wirt. It took Steadman two attempts to get her surname down. It happens.

Ralph Steadman
AbeBooks listing accessed July 4, 2024

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=22774069744&searchurl=attrs%3Dsgnd%26ds%3D30%26kn%3DRalph%2BSteadman%26rollup%3Don%26sgnd%3Don%26sortby%3D1&cm_sp=snippet-_-srp0-_-title30

Ralph Steadman
AbeBooks item description

04681