The Stonemason, first edition, second printing
The Ecco Press, Hopewell, NJ, n.d.
First edition, second printing, lacking the “First Edition” statement on the copyright page. Hardcover, 22 x 14.7 cm, 133 numbered pages. Publisher’s gray paper-covered boards with black cloth spine, lettered in silver on the spine; the Ecco Press logo is blind-stamped on the front panel.
Black-and-white second-issue dust jacket designed by Chip Kidd, lettered in white. Priced at “$19.95” but lacking the code “9404” on the front flap.
Inscribed in black ink by McCarthy on the second half-title page to his friend Bill Kidwell: “For Bill Kidwell / Who brought the / Telfairs to me / Your friend / Cormac”
CONDITION: Very good book in a near fine dust jacket.
PROVENANCE: From the Kidwell Collection, auctioned by Heritage in 2013.
Published at $19.95. Publication date and print run unknown.
Despite the fact that the Ecco Press Archive does not record the publication date or print run of this second printing, the number of copies that have surfaced on the market suggests that its print run was much smaller than that of the first printing (7500 copies). Rare Book Hub lists only one copy, compared to 44 of the first printing; as of August 2025, AbeBooks offered only one copy of the second printing, compared to 42 of the first.
One day in 1978, McCarthy called his old friend Bill Kidwell and asked if he could come stay with him in Nashville. Kidwell gave McCarthy a job and an old Dodge pickup to drive. During this time, McCarthy built several additions and a beautiful limestone-and-white-mortar chimney for a client—work Mr. Kidwell described as impeccable. It was also during this period that McCarthy worked alongside men who would later inspire characters in The Stonemason. Together, they constructed a large addition to house a duck decoy collection for a Nashville client. McCarthy not only designed the room but also supervised its construction. He left Nashville in 1979 for Tucson, Arizona, and later moved to El Paso, Texas.
A beautiful inscription to an old friend.
DUSTJACKET: collectors Al Selberg and Sean Lynch let me know that at least two copies wrapped in first issue dustjackets do exist. There is a chance that a few remained first issue dustaackets were married by the publisher to second printing copies.
REMAINDERED COPIES: one remaindered copy with remainder stamp on the bottom edge was noted.
COLLECTING TOPICS: second printing copies are significantly scarcer than those of the first. Signed or inscribed copies are particularly rare—this being the only one recorded by Rare Book Hub and one of only two I am aware.
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2 Responses
Don’t forget the Mary Louise Gibson & Maury (Christmas 1994) copy that you researched as well. Sold on eBay beginning of this year. (March 10). Inscribed second printing.
Dear Sean, you are pretty right about this genuine and intriguing copy. I will correct the mistake I made saying that the Kidwell is the only inscribed copy I have ever encountered. Thank you very much. As for quoting it as a notable copy, I didn’t just because we are not sure about the recipient of the inscription. Was she Mary Louise Foster from Rhode Island? Or Mary Louise Gibson from El Paso? Or rather they were the same person married twice? Further researches are needed.