Pieces of White Shell

Scribner, 1984. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Fine/Near Fine. Association copy, inscribed on the front end free paper to Ezekiel ("Zeke") and Katherine ("Kay") Dumke, prominent Utah philanthropists who gave to institutions including the University of Utah, Westminster College, Weber State University, and Red Butte Garden (the state arboretum on the University of Utah campus). Zeke Dumke was also for a time the president of the Utah Museum of Natural History, where Terry Tempest Williams was a curator at the time of this book's publication (later she became its naturalist-in-residence). In the 1960s, Zeke additionally helped establish the boundaries for Canyonlands National Park; conservation and connecting people with the outdoors were part of the Dumkes' philosophy. The full-page inscription reads in Williamss elegant script: "January 10, 1985, Dearest Zeke & Kay, This book comes to you with all the love in the world. I feel as though we are family. You know this country of red rock and ravens. You know the gifts of pen space and clouds. These stories, I hear them whispering through the fingers of sage. To all that binds us. Love, Terry." Also signed in full on the half-title page. A fine book in a very near fine dust jacket (unusual for this title). The jackets only blemish to speak of is, on the front flap, a dogeared upper corner and the residue from a sales-price sticker. Just a touch of fade to the books lower boards, but still fine. The interior pages are crisp and white as salt. The authors first book for adults. With illustrations by Clifford Brycelea. Please inquire for photos.