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“Muscles aching to work, minds aching to create - this is man": First Edition of John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath; Finely Bound by the Harcourt Bindery
STEINBECK, JOHN.
The Grapes of Wrath.
New York: The Viking Press 1939.
First edition with “First Published in April 1939” on copyright page of the author’s classic work. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in five compartments within raised bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt ruled inner dentelles stamp-signed by the Harcourt Bindery, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. In fine condition. An exceptional presentation.
Price: $2,200.00 Item Number: 146082
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First edition of John Steinbeck's Classic Work East of Eden; From the library of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
STEINBECK, JOHN [JACQUELINE KENNEDY ONASSIS].
East of Eden.
New York: The Viking Press 1952.
First edition, first issue of Steinbeck’s epic and moving story of a modern Cain and Abel. Octavo, original cloth. From the library of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis with the bookplate from the Sotheby’s 23 – 26 April 1996 sale of the estate of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to the verso of the front wrapper. In March 1964, Jacqueline Kennedy wrote a three-page letter to Steinbeck asking him to write a book about her husband. She described the pain of reminiscing about her husband and encouraged Steinbeck to make a decision soon. She also said that she and the Kennedy family needed to move on with their lives. Jacqueline Kennedy later said that the letters she and Steinbeck exchanged were very important to her during that difficult time. When John F. Kennedy was sworn in as president on January 20, 1961, 31-year-old Jacqueline Kennedy became the third youngest First Lady in American history. As a presidential couple, the Kennedys differed from the Eisenhowers by their relative youth and their relationship with the media. Historian Gil Troy has noted that in particular, they “emphasized vague appearances rather than specific accomplishments or passionate commitments” and therefore fit in well in the early 1960s’ “cool, TV-oriented culture”. Kennedy’ became a fashion icon during her years in the White House, hiring American designer Oleg Cassini to design her wardrobe. She was the first First Lady to hire a press secretary, Pamela Turnure, and carefully managed her contact with the media, usually shying away from making public statements and strictly controlling the extent to which her children were photographed. Portrayed by the media as the ideal woman, academic Maurine Beasley has stated that Kennedy “created an unrealistic media expectation for first ladies that would challenge her successors.” Nevertheless, by attracting worldwide positive public attention, the First Lady gained allies for the White House and international support for the Kennedy administration and its Cold War policies. Although Kennedy stated that her priority as a First Lady was to take care of the President and their children, she also dedicated her time to the promotion of American arts and preservation of its history. Her main contribution was the restoration of the White House, but she also furthered the cause by hosting social events that brought together elite figures from politics and the arts. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. An exceptional example with noted provenance.
Price: $9,800.00 Item Number: 147079
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“I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that's why": First Edition of Of Mice and Men; Inscribed by John Steinbeck
STEINBECK, JOHN.
Of Mice and Men.
New York: Covici-Friede 1937.
First edition, first issue with the word “pendula” present on page 9 and the dot between the 8’s on p. 88 of Steinbeck’s “marvelous picture of the tragedy of loneliness” (Eleanor Roosevelt). Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “For Sara Hull Krahn John Steinbeck.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket with a touch of wear. An exceptional example, most rare and desirable signed and inscribed.
Price: $17,500.00 Item Number: 147302
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First edition of John Steinbeck's Classic Work East of Eden; In exceptional Condition
STEINBECK, JOHN.
East of Eden.
New York: The Viking Press 1952.
First edition, first issue of Steinbeck’s epic and moving story of a modern Cain and Abel. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with a touch of shelf wear. An exceptional example.
Price: $3,000.00 Item Number: 147707
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First edition of the Nobel Prize-Winning Author's Classic Work East of Eden; Inscribed by John Steinbeck
STEINBECK, JOHN.
East of Eden.
London: William Heinemann Ltd 1952.
First British edition of Steinbeck’s epic and moving story of a modern Cain and Abel. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “For Michael and Emma John Steinbeck.” Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. An exceptional example, rare and desirable signed and inscribed.
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 147356
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“I'm tired of people who have not been at war who know all about it": First Edition of John Steinbeck's The Moon Is Down; Lengthily Signed by John Steinbeck
STEINBECK, JOHN.
The Moon Is Down.
New York: The Viking Press 1942.
First edition of the Nobel Prize-winning author’s classic work. Octavo, original blue cloth. Lengthily signed by the author in a contemporary signature, “Affectionate Regards and memories of the Sierra Nevada, John Steinbeck.” Fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Signed first editions are rare.
Price: $6,000.00 Item Number: 147549
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First edition of the Nobel Prize-Winning Author's Classic Work East of Eden; Signed by John Steinbeck; From the library of legendary Actor Douglas Fairbanks
STEINBECK, JOHN.
East of Eden.
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.
Price: $6,500.00 Item Number: 148006
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First edition of John Steinbeck's Classic Work East of Eden; In exceptional Condition
STEINBECK, JOHN.
East of Eden.
New York: The Viking Press 1952.
First edition, early printing of Steinbeck’s epic and moving story of a modern Cain and Abel. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in a good price-clipped dust jacket. An exceptional example.
Price: $275.00 Item Number: 148185
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George Bernard Shaw's Saint Joan: A Chronicle Play in Six Scenes and an Epilogue; from the library of American Actor Zachary Scott
SHAW, GEORGE BERNARD [JOHN STEINBECK].
Saint Joan: A Chronicle Play in Six Scenes and an Epilogue.
New York: Dodd, Mead & Company 1936.
Early printing of one of Shaw’s major works. Octavo, original cloth, with illustrations from the play as presented by Katharine Cornell courtesy of Vandamm Studio. From the library of American actor Zachary Scott, the first husband of Elaine Scott who later married writer John Steinbeck. Scott is best remembered for his many roles as villains and “mystery men” in dozens of musical comedies, film noirs, and psychological thrillers throughout the 1940s and 50s including Hollywood Canteen, The Unfaithful, Shotgun, Man in the Shadow, and The Young One. In very good condition with Scott’s bookplate to the pastedown.
Price: $125.00 Item Number: 114807
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Elaine Steinbeck's French-English English-French Dictionary; signed and dated by her in Paris in 1954
EDITED BY ERNEST A. BAKER. [JOHN STEINBECK; ELAINE STEINBECK],.
Cassell’s French-English English-French Dictionary.
London: Cassell & Company, Limited 1953.
Early printing of Cassell’s French-English English-French Dictionary from the library of American literary master John Steinbeck and his wife Elaine Steinbeck. Octavo, original cloth. Signed and dated by Steinbeck’s wife, Elaine Steinbeck, on the front free endpaper, “Elaine Steinbeck Paris 1954.” In very good condition.
Price: $600.00 Item Number: 114936