John O'Hara — Hope of Heaven

New York, Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1938 . First edition. Cloth. A first edition of John O'Hara's work of hard-boiled noir, inspired by his own early career as a Hollywood screenwriter. Theatre critic Clive Hirschhorn's copy. The first edition, first printing. In the publisher's original unclipped dust wrapper. This novel follows a struggling Hollywood screenwriter in his mid-30s, who becomes besotted with an idealistic younger woman, whose own interest is passing. From the library of Clive Hirschhorn, theatre critic at the Sunday Express from 1966 to 1995, and a noted book collector of 20th century authors, with his collection including all the major works of Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Steinbeck and others. With Clive's characteristic inscription with his date of acquisition to the upper corner of the front pastedown.  In the publisher's original cloth binding, with unclipped dust wrapper. Areas of light abrasion to boards, most concentrated to fore edge and tail of front board. A touch of sunning to dust wrapper back strip, with chipping and minor losses to back strip head and tail, closed tear to rear wrap head and fold over head of front joint. Light handling marks to rear wrap. Internally, firmly bound. Pages exceptionally clean and bright. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good/Very Good Indeed.