CAIN, James M. and Alfred A. Knopf
Original Book Contract for James M. Cain's first book, Our Government, Signed by both Cain and Knopf
Partially printed Purchase, Rights, and Royalties agreement between James M. Cain and Alfred A. Knopf, dated April 25th, 1929, for Cain's first book, Our Government. Signed by both Cain and Knopf, with numerous hand corrections and initials by both parties, the most notable being a later notation, written and fully signed by Knopf on the first page, that the contract was voided by way of a letter from Knopf in 1933. On the last page there is a typed notation that reads, "Canceled by Mutual Consent" and dated July 1949. Six pages. About fine in paper legal docket. The contract was valid from the time of the book's publication in 1929 until 1933, at which time it was superseded by a new contract. The corrections make the document far more interesting, in that it is not only the first contract, but reveals the evolution of the publisher/author agreement over time. The author's copy of his first book contract, one of probably 3-4 copies that have ever existed, preceded only by Cain's magazine and newspaper appearances, most notably in Mencken's American Mercury.
[BTC #85097]
