To a God Unknown -
John Steinbeck
1933 - Robert O. Ballou, New York - First Edition, First Issue
A superior first edition of Steinbeck’s scarcest work of which only 598 copies were printed, housed in a bespoke slipcase titled in gilt on morocco labels to spine and front.
While fulfilling his dead father's dream of creating a prosperous farm in California, Joseph Wayne comes to believe that a magnificent tree on the farm embodies his father's spirit. His brothers and their families share in Joseph's prosperity and the farm flourishes - until one brother, scared by Joseph's pagan belief, kills the tree and brings disease and famine on the farm.
Set in familiar Steinbeck country, To A God Unknown is a mystical tale, exploring one man's attempt to control the forces of nature and to understand the ways of God. 1498 copies were printed in September 1933 but only 598 copies were actually bound and sold. The remaining sheets were bought by the publisher Covici Friede and subsequently issued with a new title page and rather plain dust jacket.
Goldstone & Payne A3a. Morrow 22. Ahearn, Author Price Guide, 003a.
Publishing history - 1498 copies were printed in September 1933 but only 598 copies were actually bound and sold. The remaining sheets were bought by the publisher Covici Friede and subsequently issued with a new title page and rather plain dust jacket, in addition to this change of publisher, other first edition first issue points - Dust Jacket priced at $2.00 to front flap (second issue was priced at $2.50).
Originally from Salinas, California, John Steinbeck (1902-1968) is today considered one of the greatest American writers of the twentieth century. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his novel, Grapes of Wrath and in 1962 received the Nobel Prize for Literature.
References: Goldstone & Payne A3a. Holmes A3a. Ahearn, Author Price Guide, 003a. Morrow 21 & 22. Penguin, web.
Octavo (book size 19.6x13.2cm), pp. [8] 325 [3]. Publisher’s pale green cloth binding, spine titled in gilt, green patterned endpapers, top edge tinted black. Dust jacket priced $2.00 to front flap. Condition: A near fine copy, slight offset to spine from the dust jacket (common with this book, many copies found with the entire boards mottled), in a near fine bright dust jacket, minor sunning to spine, a little rubbed to head of spine and corners, short closed tear to lower edge of rear panel. Ref: 112166 Price: HK$ 55,000
While fulfilling his dead father's dream of creating a prosperous farm in California, Joseph Wayne comes to believe that a magnificent tree on the farm embodies his father's spirit. His brothers and their families share in Joseph's prosperity and the farm flourishes - until one brother, scared by Joseph's pagan belief, kills the tree and brings disease and famine on the farm.
Set in familiar Steinbeck country, To A God Unknown is a mystical tale, exploring one man's attempt to control the forces of nature and to understand the ways of God. 1498 copies were printed in September 1933 but only 598 copies were actually bound and sold. The remaining sheets were bought by the publisher Covici Friede and subsequently issued with a new title page and rather plain dust jacket.
Goldstone & Payne A3a. Morrow 22. Ahearn, Author Price Guide, 003a.
Publishing history - 1498 copies were printed in September 1933 but only 598 copies were actually bound and sold. The remaining sheets were bought by the publisher Covici Friede and subsequently issued with a new title page and rather plain dust jacket, in addition to this change of publisher, other first edition first issue points - Dust Jacket priced at $2.00 to front flap (second issue was priced at $2.50).
Originally from Salinas, California, John Steinbeck (1902-1968) is today considered one of the greatest American writers of the twentieth century. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his novel, Grapes of Wrath and in 1962 received the Nobel Prize for Literature.
References: Goldstone & Payne A3a. Holmes A3a. Ahearn, Author Price Guide, 003a. Morrow 21 & 22. Penguin, web.
Octavo (book size 19.6x13.2cm), pp. [8] 325 [3]. Publisher’s pale green cloth binding, spine titled in gilt, green patterned endpapers, top edge tinted black. Dust jacket priced $2.00 to front flap. Condition: A near fine copy, slight offset to spine from the dust jacket (common with this book, many copies found with the entire boards mottled), in a near fine bright dust jacket, minor sunning to spine, a little rubbed to head of spine and corners, short closed tear to lower edge of rear panel. Ref: 112166 Price: HK$ 55,000