MEN, WOMEN AND PIANOS: A Social History By Arthur Loesser. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1954. First edition, first printing. "First printing" statement to the copyright page, 1954 date printed to the title page. Loesser, a musicologist and classical pianist famous for playing duets with conductor Wilfred Pelletier, also gained renown for this in-depth, delightful history of the piano and keyboard in society, its uses, social settings, trends, home use, culture, perceptions, popularity, evolution, etc. A presentable vintage gift. Light age-toning to the inner hinge area as usual, mild small surface scuffs to the upper page edges, two facing pages show a tan-shadow from a former bookmark, else about near fine, square and firm in gray buckram linen over textured black boards with gilt embossed titles to the front cover and with gilt embossed titles and a red panel to the spine, red-and-yellow headband and tail-band, pale-red upper page edges, photo-illustrated end-papers; in a very good price-clipped dust jacket with a half-inch chip to the upper front panel edge, a small chip to the lower rear panel edge, shelf-edge tears and nicks, age-toning to the spine panel, and a very small milky stain drop to the front panel. After photographing images for this entry, the dust jacket will be placed in a clear, removable, quality BroDart brand protective sleeve. Thick octavo; 654 pages; index; plus preface, acknowledgements, and contents pages. PLEASE VIEW OUR STORE FOR MORE GREAT FIRST EDITION BOOKS THANKS!