The Blackboard Jungle.

HUNTER, Evan. [Ed McBain].

Item Number: 119649

New York: Simon and Schuster, 1954.

First edition of the author’s definitive 1954 novel dealing with juvenile crime and the New York City public school system, adapted into the award-winning film of the same name. Octavo, original publisher’s half grey cloth over red boards. Signed by the author on the title page. With the front wrapper and spine of a first paperback edition of the same title laid in. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket design by Guy Fraument. Author photograph by P. Charbonnet.

Born Salvatore Albert Lombino, American author and screenwriter Ed McBain legally adopted the name Evan Hunter in 1952. While successful and well known as Evan Hunter, he was even better known as Ed McBain, a name he used for most of his crime fiction, beginning in 1956. As Evan Hunter, he gained notice with his novel Blackboard Jungle (1954) dealing with juvenile crime and the New York City public school system. The film adaptation followed in 1955 directed by Richard Brooks and starring future Oscar winner and star Sidney Poitier.