Books

New York: Viking, 1952. First Edition; First Printing. Hardcover. Very Good+ in a Very Good+ dust jacket. First publishing stated. First issue with bite for bight on page 281, line 38. 4.50 price intact on the front flap. Front hinge starting. Rubbing, few small open tears along panel edges.

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.