Belle Starr and Her Pearl by Edwin P. Hicks (Signed, Third Printing), 1966 🤠📜🏜️

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a rare, signed third printing of Belle Starr and Her Pearl, a fascinating work that blends historical facts with storytelling. Published in 1966 by Pioneer Press, the book focuses on the life of the outlaw Belle Starr and her daughter, Pearl. This volume is a premier acquisition for any serious collector of Americana, Western history, or signed books.

This edition is a tangible connection to the enduring fascination with the American West. Its historical significance and unique provenance make this a highly desirable piece, and a genuine collector's item due to its:

• Signed Third Printing status from the author, Edwin P. Hicks.

• Hand-drawn map of "Belle Starr Country" by a previous owner.

• A unique provenance that adds a layer of personal history to the book.

 

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2. About the Artwork/Book/Object 📖✍️✨

Belle Starr and Her Pearl is a fictionalized narrative that explores the lives of historical figures from the American West through compelling storytelling. The book offers a captivating account of their lives, blending documented events with elements of fiction.

The book is an important document for understanding the lives of historical figures from the American West. Its content focuses on:

• Belle's outlaw life as the "Queen of the Outlaws".

• The life of her adopted daughter, Pearl Reed.

• The author’s theory about the identity of Belle Starr’s assassin.

 

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3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️✨

Edwin P. Hicks (1904-1979) was a journalist and author dedicated to exploring historical figures of the American West. His book provides a factual foundation for a fictionalized narrative that captures the spirit of the time.

The book also features a foreword by Homer Croy, a respected author of the American West, which adds a layer of authority to this definitive work.

 

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4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1966, this book is an artifact of a period of enduring fascination with the American West and its legendary outlaws. The book's publication reflects a widespread interest in documenting and preserving the history of the American West, and it serves as a document for understanding the ways in which historical figures were portrayed in popular culture.

The book is a "time capsule" of mid-20th-century American social and political thought. It captures the spirit of an era when individual expression and personal narratives were highly valued, and provides an honest look at the lives of a community that was often overlooked by mainstream culture.

 

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5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is intended for a curator of American social history, a scholar of Western Americana, or a private collector of unique signed artifacts. It is an ideal acquisition for an individual who values a book's intellectual significance and its documented personal history.

The book appeals to a collector who is interested in the intersection of:

• History and fiction, and the enduring legacy of outlaw history.

• American social history, and the lives of women in the American West.

• Unique provenance, with a hand-drawn map and a signature from a previous owner.

 

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6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

As a rare, signed third printing from 1966, this book is a uniquely scarce asset. The value is a direct reflection of the book's rarity, its historical significance, and its condition for an item of its age. The book's provenance is significantly enhanced by a personal inscription from the author, Edwin P. Hicks.

The book's worth is enhanced by:

• Verifiable Provenance: The book has a personal inscription from the author, Edwin P. Hicks, which adds to its authenticity.

• Unique Details: A hand-drawn map of "Belle Starr Country" by a previous owner makes this a one-of-a-kind artifact.

• Historical Context: This book is a primary source for understanding how historical figures were portrayed in popular culture, making it an intellectually valuable piece.

 

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7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This copy is a well-preserved piece showing authentic wear consistent with its age from the mid-20th century. The binding is a hardcover with a dust jacket. The dust jacket shows visible wear, including rubbing, creasing, and minor tears, which authenticates its long life.

• Binding: The book is a hardcover with a purple cloth binding. It has a tight and sound binding and a clean interior.

• Dust Jacket: The dust jacket shows visible wear and tear, including rubbing and scuffing, and a price tag of $8.50 on the front flap.

• Interior: The pages are clean and free of any marks or stains. The binding is tight and sound. The front endpaper contains a previous owner's inscription and a hand-drawn map.

• Signature: The book has a personal inscription from the author, Edwin P. Hicks, in black ink on the half-title page.

 

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8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• The book contains a personal inscription from the author, Edwin P. Hicks, which makes it a unique, one-of-a-kind historical artifact.

• This specific copy also has a previous owner's inscription and a hand-drawn map of "Belle Starr Country" on the front endpaper, which adds to its provenance.

• The book is a third printing, which indicates its popularity.

• The foreword is by Homer Croy, a respected author of the American West.

• Hicks devotes more space to Pearl's story than other works about Belle Starr, which makes this a unique historical document.

 

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9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: Belle Starr and Her Pearl

• Author/Maker: Edwin P. Hicks

• Year: 1966

• Publisher/Foundry: Pioneer Press

• Place of Origin: Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

• Format/Binding: Hardcover with Dust Jacket

• Edition: Third Printing

• Rarity: Rare with Inscription

• Transcription:

  Author's Inscription: All the best! Edwin P. Hicks

  Previous Owner's Inscription: James B. Kelly - 1966