First edition of this seminal work of gay fiction, which spent sixteen weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list and broke ground in its frank and unabashedly romantic depiction of a gay love affair that doesn't end in tragedy. The first in Merrick's "Peter and Charlie" trilogy, which follows the life-long entanglements of its titular protagonists.
NY: Bernard Geis Associates, 1970. Stated first printing. Octavo (5.75 x 8.5 in.); 280pp.; purple vinyl boards backed with red quarter-cloth; silver spine lettering; in dust jacket. Light bump to top front board corner, light shelfwear resulting in slight loss of color at tips. Else a strong near fine in a near fine, unclipped jacket with a couple of short closed edge tears and mild toning.