INSCRIBED BY BUDD SCHULBERG

SCHULBERG, Budd. The Harder They Fall. New York: Random House, (1947). Octavo, original black cloth, original dust jacket. $1750.

First edition of the gritty boxing classic by Schulberg, author of On the Waterfront, inscribed by him, "Best, Budd Schulberg," the basis for the 1956 film starring Bogart in his final screen role, a handsome copy in the original dust jacket.

Screenwriter, novelist and boxing fan, Schulberg followed the success of his Hollywood novel What Makes Sammy Run? (1941) with this powerful look at corruption in the world of boxing. On publication The Harder They Fall earned quick praise: "Schulberg has created a brilliant novel—the first of the modern prize ring, I believe, to be a worthy contender for literary novels… Schulberg owes something to Hemingway… but the final product is a Schulberg original." The Harder They Fall was "one of the first realistic examinations of professional boxing… the book stood for many years as a model for other novels, plays and films about the amoral world of the ring… 'It's the writer's responsibility to stand up against that power,' Schulberg said… 'writers are really almost the only ones, except for very honest politicians, who can make any dent on that system. I tried to do that. And that's affected me my whole life'" (New York Times). Schulberg "was the only non-boxer the World Boxing Association named a living legend of boxing" (Washington Post). Director Mark Robson's 1956 film adaptation starred Bogart in his final screen role. "First Printing" stated on copyright page. Bookseller ticket.

Book fine; lightest edge-wear, small closed tear to spine, trace of soiling to verso of scarce near-fine dust jacket.