Books

A crown jewel rarity __ Unrevised galley proofs of Steinbeck's self-attested masterpiece, an iconic work of 20th century literature in an essentially unobtainable pre-publication format with a most personal provenance. Folio, 243 unbound galley leaves printed on the rectos. Lightly handled with minor wear at edges, else Fine. Beautifully housed in a custom clamshell case. Provenance: Ex-David Heyler, Steinbeck's nephew-in law. Sent by Viking Press to him at the direction of the author. We include a letter regarding this copy from publisher and close Steinbeck friend, Pascal Covici to Heyler dated June 4, 1952. Steinbeck was close to Heyler, and would send many items to the young book collector. In a letter to Heyler dated November 19, 1951, Steinbeck writes, "Finished the first draft of the book[East of Eden]…Am re-writing now. I think it is pretty good. I asked to have a galley pulled for you thinking you might like to have it. You'll get it sometime in January." The proof would…

East of Eden is a novel by American author John Steinbeck. Published in September 1952, it is a saga telling the story of two families—the Trasks and the Hamiltons—with a particular focus on the life of Adam Trask, his twin sons Caleb and Aron, and their complex relationship with each other and their father. The novel explores themes of depravity, beneficence, love, and redemption, and it vividly captures the rural Salinas Valley in California at the turn of the 20th century. Steinbeck considered 'East of Eden' to be his magnum opus.

Identify a first edition of 'East of Eden' by The Viking Press with the date 'September 1952' on the copyright page and the absence of the words 'First Published in September 1952' which would indicate a later printing.