(Kent, Rockwell)illus. CANDIDE by Jean Francois Voltaire. Random House, NY, 1928. Number 485 of the edition of 1470 copies, signed by Kent. This copy has tipped-in, following the front-free endpaper, the suppressed plate, printed on olive-toned paper, inscribed by Kent to his then apprentice Stephen Etnier, "This only unexpurgated copy inscribed to Stephen Etnier/ by Rockwell Kent Nov 1928." Additionally, laid-in is a typed letter on Random House letterhead, dated December 18, 1937, signed "Bennett" (Bennett Cerf was President of Random House), enclosing "a special copy of the suppressed Kent plate, signed by him," together with the said plate, printed on buff paper, signed by Kent. Below Cerf's signature, in pencil is the following: "All prints like this were made without my permission by the Brick Row Bookshop, Cambridge, Mass when I had the slip cover made. Stephen Etnier," and also accompanied by a brochure of unknown origin illustrating the published and suppressed plates, and the related text. It appears that Kent gave and inscribed the olive colored plate to Etnier along with the book, in 1928, and asserted that it was a unique copy of the book with the plate. At some time thereafter, and prior to 1937, Etnier sent his Kent books out to have slipcases made and, in his opinion, the shop reproduced and distrbuted the plate, eliminating the Kent inscription. There are, of course, other possible explanations. Housed in Etnier's custom chemise and slipcase. Fine throughout, with three Kent signatures, and his declaration of the uniqueness of the copy.
