"FOR JUSTICE WE MUST GO ON OUR KNEES TO DON CORLEONE": FIRST EDITION OF MARIO PUZO'S THE GODFATHER

PUZO, Mario. The Godfather. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, (1969). Octavo, original half black cloth, original dust jacket. $3500.

First edition of Puzo's Cosa Nostra classic in the original dust jacket.

In order to better support his family, Puzo-who had written two critically praised but modestly performing books-decided to create a purely commercial novel. Even so, The Godfather not only "outsold every other novel of the 1970s" but also "found favor with most critics" (ANB). Puzo co-wrote the screenplay for the 1972 film, which won three Oscars including Best Screenplay Adaptation for Puzo and director Francis Ford Coppola. First edition, first printing: with no statement of printings on the copyright page. Books of the Century, 266-67.

Book near-fine with clean interior, slightest soiling to cloth; very good dust jacket with mild creasing and rubbing, minor toning to spine, early price sticker to rear panel.