[Rarebooks] GRAPES...galore. Steinbeck.

[Serendipity Books]

THE GRAPES OF WRATH
(1939)


A12a    THE GRAPES OF WRATH.  New York: The Viking Press 
(1939)  Original light gray/beige textured cloth, original brown 
morocco spine, spine gilt, with an ornament, gold and blind rules, 
t.e.g., bottom and fore-edges rough-trimmed.  Endpapers with "Battle 
Hymn of the Republic" music, old plantation melody, words by Julia 
Ward Howe front and rear.  Original gray paper, morocco tipped 
slipcase (edges faded).  First edition, unique copy, bound [in the 
manner of a few other titles - similar purpose] by the publisher for 
Steinbeck and his wife Carol, who had suggested the endpaper design. 
The book is very fine.  Loosely enclosed, on Viking stationery, a 
half-sheet, a brief holograph note: "For Carol with love / Pat 
[Covici]".  One here remembers the first of the two printed 
dedications in this novel: "To Carol who willed it."

           Present also, a penciled note, 8 lines, torn scrap, the 
several hands uneducated:


                                                                                                 "Kern 
Migertory Camp

                 Dear mr. Steinbeck;

We Thank you for your fine letter.  Be sure to Come again And be one 
of us Soon.

                                                                 Camp 
Central Comm
                                                                 Chairman, 
S.E. Ecstrom
                                                                 Member. 
Jo Steffens
                                                                 Manigar. 
O. collins"


Many years ago, in 1972,  I was called to Carmel Valley by Carol 
Henning Brown; she wished to get rid of some books, the ones 
inscribed to her in private pig love-Latin.  I dutifully catalogued 
each, pricing each, but offered all as a lot, at the simple total 
[Serendipity Books Catalogue 29: Literature (Early & Modern), lot 
736]. There were 20 titles and the price for the collection was 
$10,360.00.  It is very likely I was in for 20%.  I received no 
orders for some time.  Then John S. Van E. Kohn of Seven Gables 
called, asking if the books were still available.  I said they 
were.  He said, well, he had just been looking at the catalogue, when 
Waller Barrett happened to call, Barrett was even then still on the 
phone, and John read him the description and Barrett said he would 
like them.  I sent the lot to Seven Gables, at a discount, I am sure, 
postpaid, I know.  They are now at the University of Virginia, 
Alderman Library, C. Waller Barrett Collection.  I received no other 
orders.   Carol said she did not love her former husband any more. 
Actually, as I recollect, she said she hated him.  Her first husband 
was John Steinbeck.  She called me back a bit later. Said I'd 
overlooked one book, or she had, because it was not inscribed.  This 
book.  $65,000.00





A12a    THE GRAPES OF WRATH.   New York: The Viking Press 
(1939).   Original light gray cloth, line drawing stamped, continuous 
on the covers, with the illustrated endpapers, a printing of "The 
Battle Hymn of the Republic" as suggested by Steinbeck's wife Carol, 
the co-dedicatee. Top edges stained yellow.   First edition, first 
printing.  Fine in unclipped dust jacket. The jacket was designed by 
Elmer Hader.

             The book is beyond common, for the first impression 
consisted of 50,000 copies, and within the first year, another 
380,000 copies appeared in successive printings.   Therefore, one 
must conclude, signed or inscribed copies are common, unlike THE LONG 
VALLEY.  So one hopes for a little resonance in an association.  This 
copy is inscribed at publication on the front free endpaper "For 
Charlotte Newbegin / John Steinbeck."   For many years Charlotte 
owned an independent book store in San Francisco, loyal to all local 
writers.  Her bookseller's ticket for 358 Post Street, opposite Union 
Square is upon the upper edge of the rear endpaper. She later moved 
to 8 Tillman Place.  $25,000.00



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Peter B. Howard
Serendipity Books
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