The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze. Signed by William Saroyan. First Edition, First Printing. Random House. New York, 1934.

William Saroyan was a celebrated author who rose to major acclaim for his 1943 novel, The Human Comedy. In his lifetime, he was as widely read as Hemingway and Faulkner. He was also a minimalist, drafting concise, elegant prose and narratives. Through the 1930s and 1960s, he published over a dozen book-length works. Yet his dramas and screenplays were particularly celebrated, winning him the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1940 and an Academy Award in 1943. It all started with The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze, though. It is Saroyan’s first book-length work, a collection of short stories that became a surprise bestseller. The stories are noted for their minimalist prose and their range of voice. While it may not be his most widely read work today, The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze proves that Saroyan was a master of the short story atop his other achievements.

This first edition, first printing is signed by Saroyan on the flyleaf. It is in very good condition. In the original cloth with bronze pastedown, very good with only foxing, mainly around edges. Text block near-fine, only minor foxing. In the delicate original dust jacket, very good with some chips, creases, fading and tears.

A very good signed first edition of William Saroyan’s first book-length publication.