What is being offered here are 2 Advanced Copies, in Photostat, of the Manuscript for "Crossing", a compendium of quotes on the subject of death and dying excerpted from the writings of Dostoevsky, Kahlil Gibran, T.S. Eliot, Shelley, Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, E.B. White, Rilke, and others; with a 3-page introduction by Alice Walker, author of "The Color Purple". Probably circa 1986, as dated by Alice Walker in her introduction. Rare.

The work was eventually published circa 1989 under the title "A Rumor of Angels" (Ballantine Books).

From the Bernstein family library, sold at the Leonard Bernstein Estate Sale at Sotheby's December 1997. With a typed note from Quincy Jones, Signed "Q" in type, on his personalized 4"x6" buff card stock. Addressed to 2 of Leonard Bernstein's children, 3 weeks after their father's death: "November 5, 1990 / Dear Alexander and Nina: My assistant sent only one copy of 'Crossing' to Jamie and I wanted you all to have it. It's gentle thoughts really helped me during an emotional time in my life. Remember, I'll always be there for you. Love, Q.".

Bound into each of the volumes is a mechanically reproduced copy of a typed note by Alice Walker, presenting the manuscript to Quincy Jones: "Dearest Quincy, Here is the manuscript on death, dying and letting go, CROSSING, that I promised you. Thanks to your asking about such a book, I was encouraged to finish the introduction to it and send it off, after thinking I wouldn't be able to....Much love, Alice".

"For many years, as a child and young adult, I was intensely suicidal. Not all the time, but periodically. Life often seemed not worth living because too many tangled and unexamined bonds held me back from living bonds I was afraid to ruthlessly dissect. (Ruth is the name of an older sister of mine to whom I was very close...). This reality just occured to me. That it was facing disaster without my sister's support that most frightened me, and not the disaster itself....The third time,..., occured when I was a college student seeking an abortion. Not having found one, and having been abandoned by my sister who did not 'believe' in abortions, I was planning to slit my wrists. It was this brush with death that makes me think that when someone mentions death and dying, corssing over and letting go, I can speak a hopeful word...." Excerpted from Alice Walker's Introduction. 
Price: 250.00 USD

First edition.

Alice Walker's second book and her first novel. 
Price: 75.00 USD