CAGE, John

A significant association copy inscribed by Cage to his patron Betty Freeman, marking a pivotal moment in the career of one of America's preeminent postmodern composers. Middletown, CT: Wesleyan University Press, 1961. First edition. Square 8vo. Black cloth, blind-stamped to front board; white and bronze spine titles; dust jacket. Xii, 276pp. Bottom corners lightly bumped/swollen; toning to textblock edges; spot of soiling to ffep below inscription. Price-clipped jacket with edgewear and rubbing, foxing and faint dampstaining to interior. Very good in a like jacket. Inscribed by Cage on ffep: "For Betty Freeman with gratitude for her interest and activity. John Cage (after the California Tour January '65." Presentation copy of the first book by experimental American composer John Cage (1912-1992), as inscribed by him to American photographer and philanthropist Betty Freeman (1921-2009), who was noted for her extensive patronage of new musicians—Cage prominent among them. In addition