Books

First edition, first impression and first state with 'bite' for 'bight' on page 281. The title described by the author himself as his magnum opus. Small pinhole to spine with a small and faint stain to bottom for-edge of text block. The original and unclipped dust jacket has a couple of closed tears and small nicks to edges with some shallow chipping to spine foot. Some of the usual toning to spine panel. A very good copy indeed.

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.