How to Meet a Millionaire - Doris Lilly
LILLY, Doris. How to Meet a Millionaire. New York, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1951.
First edition. This autobiographical book chronicles Lilly’s pursuit of wealthy men in New York, Europe, and beyond. With drawings by Dorothy Cole Ruddick.
Doris Lilly (c. 1922-1991), socialite and gossip columnist, known as one of the several models for Holly Golightly, the heroine of Truman Capote’s novella, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Lilly was a great friend of Truman Capote’s, her madcap sense of fun and adventure appealed to the writer, her life inspiring many of Holly’s biographical details, such as a brief Hollywood starlet career with only one fleeting appearance in one picture, The Story of Dr. Wassel, and an engagement to a South-American diplomat. According to Lilly, Capote had a major influence on How to Meet a Millionaire - he provided the name and offered advice. Lilly's original manuscript kept at Boston University is filled with Capote’s corrections and suggestions.
8vo, pp. 182. Professional paper repair on one page. Dust-jacket repaired with archival Japanese tissue. A good copy in good dust-jacket. Newspaper cutting with Lilly’s obituary loosely inserted.