Mark It and Strike It: An Autobiography

New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1960. First Edition, First Printing. Cloth. Near Fine/Very Good+. Illustrated with photographs. Black boards with dust jacket. Signed by Allen on title page. Jacket is price-clipped and has moderate rubbing, some scotch tape on backside; boards display minor wear at edges, pages have some foxing, previous owner's name in pen on front free endpaper. Protected by an archival dustjacket. This particular title has become scarce over the years, especially signed. A fantastic edition for the entertainment collector.

Stephen Valentine Patrick William Allen was a remarkably versatile entertainer, active during the 1950s and 1960s, the burgeoning golden era of network television in the US. Celebrated as a television and radio personality, comedian, musician, writer, actor, and composer, he co-created "The Tonight Show" and served as its inaugural host. Born into a family of entertainers, with both parents comprising a successful vaudeville comedy duo, Allen was steeped in theater and performance from a young age. His mother, lauded by American comedian and actor Milton Berle as the "funniest woman in vaudeville," influenced and encouraged his talents.

Allen made a mark on television history by being one of the first late night talk shows to feature a young and controversial Elvis Presley, a memorable event where the handsome Presley, conservatively dressed in a formal tie and tailcoat, delivered his iconic rendition of "Hound Dog" to a dog adorned with a top hat. Allen's diverse career also included appearances on "The Simpsons" and the highly entertaining "Space Ghost Coast to Coast." He openly expressed dislike for certain trends in popular radio, notably disapproving of Howard Stern's very specific type of comedic style.

Beyond his entertainment career, Allen was a prolific author, penning over 50 books across various genres. He ventured into unconventional territories of his time, including religious criticism, and engaged in LSD experiments alongside philosopher-figure Gerald Heard during the cultural ferment of the 1950s. His musical composition on Perry Como's "It's Impossible" can be heard on the "Sharp Objects" soundtrack. His legacy endures throughout American popular culture.