Nothing So Monstrous

New York: Pynson Printers, 1936.

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Hardcover. First Separate Edition (originally published as part of *The Pastures of Heaven*, 1932); *Goldstone* A2f; noting that the paper supply allowed only 370 copies to be printed. Lightly worn at the edges, about fine. Published for subscribers to use as Christmas gifts, the colophon was customized with the subscriber's name following "made by the Pynson Printers of New York at the request of --- for presentation to [blank]." Goldstone notes 50 copies were so designated for Elmer Adler, 100 for Frederick B. Adams, Jr., 150 for Ben Abramson, 50 for Edwin J. Beinecke and 20 for antiquarian bookseller Howard Mott (although evidently fewer were issued with his name; only one is known). Unknown to Goldstone, this is one of apparently only six copies with Steinbeck's name in the colophon. In a letter to Frederick B. Adams, Jr., one of the publishers, Steinbeck requested six copies as he couldn't "afford any more." Steinbeck has filled in the colophon with the name of Elsie and Martin Ray, and has Inscribed upside-down on the rear free endpaper, "For Rusty and Elsie, Whose back rubbing has made me a little less monstrous than I have been. John Steinbeck." In the proper place, right side up on the front free endpaper, the author has Inscribed "I am a dope (see last page) John Steinbeck." Steinbeck was a guest at Martin (Rusty) and Elsie Ray's Mt. Eden Winery in Saratoga, California, where he is said to have written a portion of *The Grapes of Wrath*.

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Item #57117 Nothing So Monstrous. John STEINBECK.
Nothing So Monstrous
Nothing So Monstrous
Nothing So Monstrous
Nothing So Monstrous
Nothing So Monstrous

John Steinbeck
birth name: John Ernst Steinbeck
born: 2/27/1902
died: 12/20/1968
nationality: USA

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Biography

American novelist, best known for The Grapes of Wrath (1939), one of several naturalistic novels with proletarian themes that he wrote in the 1930s. These works, with their rich symbolic structures, effectively convey the mythopoetic and symbolic qualities of his characters. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962. - Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of Literaturemore

Collecting tips:

Yikes! Collecting tips for John Steinbeck could fill a book, rather than a tiny box on our website, so we're going to give you the Cliff Notes version. His first book, Cup of Gold (1929) is exceptionally scarce in jacket, especially when the spine is relatively unfaded. The Grapes of Wrath (1939 - which better not have the "first edition" statement clipped from the bottom of the front flap) is a case where there exists lots of supply, but even more demand, so prices can vary wildly depending on fairly minor variations in condition. Of Mice and Men (1937) invariably has a jacket that is slightly shorter than the book, apparently issued thus by the publisher, so fret not, or at least fret less than you might otherwise if this is the case with your copy. Cannery Row (1945) has to have buff-colored boards; copies in bright yellow boards are later (although still marginally collectible). His last few books are relatively common, but are usually well read, so fine copies are worth pursuing.

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