STEINBECK, John
Of Mice and Men
First edition, first issue. Faint, nearly imperceptible dampstain on front board, thus near fine in a bright, near fine dustwrapper with two tiny tears and that has been clipped at the bottom of the front flap, but with the price retained and present. A very attractive copy of this poignant, classic novella of two Depression-era drifters whose dreams of a better life are not supported by fate. By way of illustration of this volume's scarcity, 2500 copies of the first issue were printed vs. 50,000 for the Grapes of Wrath, and 78,000 for Cannery Row. Basis for the 1939 Lewis Milestone film with Burgess Meredith and Lon Chaney, Jr. in the leading roles, and which lost out to Gone With The Wind for a Best Picture Oscar in possibly Hollywood's greatest year (other "losers" that year included The Grapes of Wrath, Dark Victory, Goodbye Mr. Chips, The Wizard of Oz, Ninotchka, Stagecoach, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, and Wuthering Heights). A pretty copy.
[BTC #291238]
