This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/1/2023
CANTALA, Julius, Dr (b. 1889). The Idol. Opium, Heroin, Morphine and their Kingdom. New York City: Botwen Printing Co., [1924].
8vo. Original dark blue cloth with the illustrated wrapper mounted on the upper board from the original issue in wrappers, ONE OF ONLY A FEW COPIES BOUND IN CLOTH FOR THE AUTHOR (some very minor rubbing at ends and to label extremities).
FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY, inscribed by Cantala to the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Frank J. Monahan. The work is considered one of the scarcest books in all of psychoactive drug literature and the most important volume on opiate addiction which warns of the danger of the potential development of synthetic opioids as a result of the prohibition of natural opiates. “The purpose of this book is to present to the public and medical profession the problem of drug addiction from an angle not heretofore attempted, that is to say, from a medical-social point of view” (from the Introduction). A recent census found only two known original state copies in wrappers extant, and only four bound copies including this copy (the Ronald K. Siegel copy). Gertz, Dope Menace p. 30, 62 (see footnote).
[Laid in with:] a TLS from Cantala to Dr. Monahan presenting the volume and soliciting his opinion. A Horowtiz high spot.