STEINBECK, John

Of Mice and Men

First edition, first issue. Fine in fine and bright dustwrapper with one short tear on the front panel. A lovely 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 lead, and which lost out to Gone With the Wind for the 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 #291769]