Steinbeck John

1945 · réf. 5956 — New York United States: The Viking Press 1945. First Edition. hardcover. Near Fine. Wesley Dennis. Publication: New York The Viking Press 1945 Formatting: 8vo pp. 131. Condition Report: Near Fine. The volume is tightly and squarely bound in its original publisher's beige cloth presenting beautifully on the shelf. The boards exhibit minimal handling wear retaining sharp blue ruling and a notably clean spine label with no fading or oxidation. The extremities show barely perceptible rubbing and the hinges remain perfectly sound. Internally the book is exceptionally well-preserved; the pages are bright crisp and entirely unmarked showcasing Wesley Dennis’s vivid watercolour illustrations without any foxing or age-related toning which fully justifies the high condition grade. The original pictorial cardboard slipcase is present but exhibits standard signs of wear including moderate rubbing bumping to the corners and minor edge-wear with slight peeling to the top right of the pasted illustration label yet it remains structurally intact and highly functional. A remarkably clean and presentable copy. Catalogue Note: First illustrated edition published by The Viking Press. Originally printed in 1937 this beloved novella was reissued in this enhanced format featuring the evocative watercolour illustrations of Wesley Dennis which beautifully capture the spirit of the text and the Californian landscape. Notably the copyright page indicates that this edition was produced in full compliance with the War Production Board's conservation orders a fascinating historical artefact of its 1945 wartime publication date. Copies are highly sought after by collectors when found in such an exceptionally clean well-preserved state and retaining its original publisher's slipcase. John Steinbeck's The Red Pony is a poignant classic coming-of-age novella set on a sprawling Californian ranch. Through a series of episodic interconnected tales the story follows young Jody Tiflin as he navigates the harsh realities of life death and responsibility guided by the seasoned ranch hand Billy Buck. From the awe of receiving a spirited red pony to the profound lessons learned through loss and nature's unforgiving cycles Steinbeck weaves a masterful emotionally resonant narrative that captures the bittersweet transition from the innocence of childhood to the sobering truths of adulthood. The Viking Press hardcover