"A SECRET LITTLE INNER SONG… THE SONG OF THE PEARL THAT MIGHT BE"

STEINBECK, John. The Pearl. With Drawings by Jose Clemente Orozco. New York: Viking, 1947. Octavo, original pictorial rust cloth, original dust jacket. $2000.

First book edition of Steinbeck's powerful parable, in first-issue dust jacket.

Steinbeck's artful recasting of a Mexican folk tale is "an active and limpid narrative whose depth, like that of the tropical waters which Steinbeck so beautifully describes, is far more than one would suspect" (Edward Weeks). The book was published to coincide with the motion picture adaptation, also authored by Steinbeck and released in both Spanish and English versions. The text first appeared as "The Pearl of the World" in Woman's Home Companion (December 1945). With five dramatic illustrations by Mexican muralist Jose Clemente Oroczo. First issue dust jacket with photograph of Steinbeck looking to his left, printed in black. Goldstone & Payne A25a. Salinas Public Library, 41. Valentine 188. Gift inscription on title page.

Book with light rubbing to spine ends, dust jacket with shallow chipping to corners and spine ends, toning to spine, mild rubbing to spine and front panel. An extremely good copy.