[Literature & Art] Stein, Gertrude. (1874-1946) & Toklas, Alice B. (1877 - 1967). Portraits and Prayers - SIGNED. New York: Random House. 1934. Hardcover, 6 x 8.25, 264 pages. Inscribed on the title, “For Ben Fuller who will always be what he is which is a pleasure. Gertrude Stein ----- 8/34,” and “Alice B. Toklas.” A couple shades of light toning to signed page, the volume itself very good, black and white photographic cloth-covered boards with brown cloth-covered spine; slight wear to edges; foxing and minor soiling to exterior; paper title-piece on spine has a small chip, a crease, and some rubbing; textblock yellowed, with darker blocks of toning to endpapers.



Ben Fuller was almost certainly a relation of Elizabeth Fuller Chapman (1893 - 1980), American socialite and patron of the arts who invited Stein and Tolkas to Chicago in the year of the present inscription. It was this invitation that spawned Stein's strong relationship with Chicago and she and Tolkas generally stayed with Elizabeth's family during their visits there. It was at one of their parties that Stein was introduced to Thornton Wilder.



An interesting copy of Stein's collection of early essays and word portraits.