"TIMSHEL!": EAST OF EDEN, SIGNED LIMITED FIRST EDITION, SIGNED BY JOHN STEINBECK

STEINBECK, John. East of Eden. New York: Viking, 1952. Octavo, original green cloth, original acetate, original cardboard slipcase. $5800.

Signed limited first edition of Steinbeck's epic and moving story of a modern Cain and Abel, one of 1500 copies signed by the author, in original acetate and cardboard slipcase.

Steinbeck wrote of East of Eden, his masterful modern reworking of the tale of Cain and Abel, that it "has everything in it I have been able to learn about my art or craft or profession in all these years… I think everything else I have written has been, in a sense, practice for this" (Salinas Public Library, 45). As a contemporary reviewer put it, "Steinbeck is never dull and, even if you miss his message, you'll not be bored. There is only one Steinbeck and no one writes about 'his people' as well" (W. Max Gordon). Goldstone & Payne A32a. Valentine 217. Bruccoli & Clark I:355. Neat pen annotations and underlining on pages 303 and 602. Bookplate.

Book near-fine, with rear inner paper hinge expertly reinforced. Scarce acetate with wear and a bit of loss. Expert repairs to slipcase.