You Can't Win.
New York: The Macmillan Company, 1926. First Edition. Octavo. Autobiography from adventurer Jack Black detailing his experiences in the hobo underworld, freight-hopping around the still-Wild West of the U.S. and Canada. He tells of becoming a thief, burglar, and member of the yegg subculture, as his narrative explores themes of crime, vice, addiction, penology, and human folly from various standpoints; from observer to supplier, victim to perpetrator. William S. Burroughs cited "You Can't Win" as an extremely influential book in his life, with Black's mark quite clear in "Junkie." Red cloth boards with bright gilt lettering to front panel and spine. Ownership inscription to front endpaper, with minor spotting to margins of pp. 305-11, else a near fine copy. With a pleasing, unsophisticated copy of the scarce jacket; chip to tail of spine, with closed tears to upper section. Housed in custom case with chemise, with gilt lettering to leather spine compartments box. An exceptional survival.
Item #28776
Price: $9,500.00