John Steinbeck — The Pearl

New York, The Viking Press, 1947 . First edition. Cloth. The first edition of Steinbeck's popular novella about a pearl diver and his family, in the original second issue dust wrapper. The first edition of this work, first printing, in the second issue unclipped dust wrapper, with Steinbeck facing left to the rear wrap.Steinbeck's novella follows a pearl diver named Kino, and explores themes of greed, defiance of societal norms, and evil.Viewed as a parable, the tale was inspired by a Mexican folk tale.With vignette illustrations from Jose Clemente Orozco. In the publisher's original cloth binding, with unclipped dust wrapper. Bumps to back strip head and tail, otherwise externally fine. Light sunning to dust wrapper back strip, with losses of paper to back strip head and tail. Small loss of paper to rear wrap tail. Two minor closed tears to front wrap head. Internally, firmly bound. Pages clean and bright. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: Jose Clemente Orozco. Very Good Indeed/Very Good Indeed.