Carver, Raymond | Ultramarine, inscribed to Jay McInerney

Carver, Raymond

Ultramarine. New York: Random House, 1986

8vo. Original grey cloth-backed blue boards in original dust jacket; fine copy.

A very fine association copy linking two literary stars of the 1980s.

"For my friend Jay, from an old admirer, — and for Jay and Merry, with love and in friendship. Yours ever, Ray. Nov. 18, 1986. Ann Arbor." 

The Jay is Jay McInerney, whose 1983 first novel, Bright Lights, Big City, was seen as the vanguard of a younger, hipper literary scene. Both authors were part of the Vintage Contemporary stable of authors, with Carver’s breakout work, What We Talk About When We Talk About Love appearing in 1981 (see lot 6). 

PROVENANCE:

Jay McInerney (presentation inscription) — Christie's New York, 19 June 2007, lot 7 (undesignated consignor)