In a Narrow Grave: Essays on Texas [Second printing]

Austin, TX: Encino Press, 1968. Second Printing. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. McMurtry's first collection of essays, covering Texas history, Texas writers, cowboys, and as a coda to The Last Picture Show, sex in Archer City, Texas. At the time, McMurtry was best known as the writer whose first book Horseman, Pass By had been made into the movie, Hud.

This first edition of In a Narrow Grave was very badly copyedited and dozens of errors made it through to the printed page, the most notorious typo was "skycrapers" on p. 105, line 12. The errors, inexplicably overlooked in the proofs, were glaringly obvious in the published book. The book was quickly withdrawn from distribution and a new, corrected version printed. This is the corrected version, technically the second printing. The sheets from this printer were also used for a signed, limited edition of 250 copies. Corrected second printing after a suppressed first edition (no indication of printing on the title page and skyscrapers spelled correctly on page 105, line 12). A very good copy in a very good dust jacket. There is a small burn mark on the front panel that extends to the cloth below; previous owner's name on the front pastedown. This copy has a first printing dust jacket (many second printing books do) with "wtih" on line three of the fifth paragraph on the front flap.

This copy is signed by McMurtry on the half-title in a legible, early hand.