HAMMETT, Dashiell

The Dain Curse

First edition. Dashiell Hammett's own Long Galley Proofs for the first edition of his second novel. A neat repair to the last two leaves, else very good condition and complete. Throughout the proof are Hammett's final holograph additions, deletions, corrections, and changes --135 in all -- most in ink, and all in his hand. Hammett's young daughter's name, Mary Jane Hammett, is present in holograph crayon at the blank verso of the last leaf, lending an amusing provenance to the piece. In a fine full French morocco case, with a signed letter of provenance from Hammett's daughter. The second book-length story to feature his character The Continental Op. Only one other Hammett manuscript of any kind, for The Glass Key, has ever surfaced.

[BTC #278583]