inscribed to James Thrall Soby

An exceptional association copy, inscribed by Man Ray to James Thrall Soby, an important patron of the avant-garde in the United States who published the artist's first photobook, Photographs by Man Ray 1920 Paris 1934: 'for James T. Soby / cordially Man Ray Jan 1949'. Designed while Man Ray was living in Hollywood and published in December 1948, Alphabet for Adults was printed by pioneering California lithographer Lynton R. Kistler and produced for the Copley Galleries, who had hosted the artist's one-man show earlier the same year.

First edition, first printing, one of 500 copies, inscribed by the artist; 4to; 40 leaves, comprising title leaf, text leaf, and 38 leaves with black and white illustrations by Man Ray; original beige linen-backed buff boards, spine lettered in black, pictorial design to front cover in black, glassine wrapper; near-fine.