"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

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The Joke's Over Signed by Ralph Steadman

The Joke's Over (2006) is Ralph Steadman's tribute to the writer Hunter S. Thompson, his friend who committed suicide in 2005. Thompson, the founder of gonzo journalism, leads his illustrator friend through a series of ill-advised adventures often involving drugs, alcohol, and guns. Steadman eventually finds a more sustainable path for himself, continuing to illustrate Thompson's American pieces from his studio in England. Steadman's memoir is surprisingly articulate, and the book is ultimately a funny and moving recollection of an engaging if pathologically unstable character.

Ralph Steadman, The Joke's Over, 2006

Inscribed "For Stephen Parr/Ralph Steadman 2006" with a drawing of a cartoon face

Note:  An event in the 2006 publicity tour for The Joke's Over seems to be where Mr. Steadman personalized each of the books for Stephen Parr that have been shown on the blog these past two weeks. Attempted Bloggery welcomes photos or scans of other signed Steadman books, particularly those with original drawings or sketches.

"A Retrospective:  Ralph Steadman" is now on view at the Society of Illustrators in New York through October 22. It's no joke.

Attempted Bloggery's quick links:

Ralph Steadman

Hunter S. Thompson

Books Signed to Stephen Parr by Ralph Steadman

All Signed Books with Original Drawings

Attempted Bloggery's unstable index

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