East of Eden.

STEINBECK, John.

$6,500.00

Item Number: 148006

London: William Heinemann Ltd, 1952.

First British edition of Steinbeck’s epic and moving story of a modern Cain and Abel. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by John Steinbeck on the half-title page. From the library of actor Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. with his bookplate to the front pastedown. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. was an actor, producer, and decorated naval officer of World War II. He is best-known for starring in such films as The Prisoner of Zenda (1937), Gunga Din (1939), and The Corsican Brothers (1941). He was the son of Douglas Fairbanks and the stepson of Mary Pickford, and his first marriage was to actress Joan Crawford. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. An exceptional example, rare and desirable signed and with noted provenance.

"A novel planned on the grandest possible scale...One of those occasions when a writer has aimed high and then summoned every ounce of energy, talent, seriousness, and passion of which he was capable...It is an entirely interesting and impressive book" (The New York Herald Tribune).