THE WRATH OF JOHN STEINBECK: OR, ST. JOHN GOES TO CHURCH
Los Angeles: The Albertson Press in association with Bunster Creely, 1939. First Edition. Hardcover. Publisher's red paper-covered boards, gilt label printed in black to upper cover (5-3/4" x 8-14"); (viii), 9 pages with tipped in frontispiece. The first published book about Steinbeck, written by a childhood friend. Copy #18 of 1000 copies SIGNED by the author. Additionally SIGNED and INSCRIBED by the subject: “This is a god damned lie/John Steinbeck.” Bennett's chapbook, released after the phenomenal success of THE GRAPES OF WRATH, tells the story of meeting a young John Steinbeck years earlier, having a brief discussion about the nature of socialism in a capitalist society, and attending a church service in which Steinbeck heckled the preacher (foreshadowing the contempt for that profession dramatized in his epic novel). From the Mary Dekker Steinbeck Family collection. Tipped-in illustration loose but present with resulting adhesive stains to leaf, minor rubbing and wear to head and tail of spine. Near Fine. Item #022103
Price: $3,500.00