Nov 21, 2013 - Sale 2332

Sale 2332 - Lot 21

Price Realized: $ 3,750
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 4,000 - $ 6,000
THE O.G. BURNETT, W.R. Little Caesar. 8vo, original blue cloth lettered in yellow, publisher's device blind-stamped on front cover, faint rubbing to corners, spine tips very slightly bumped; original pictorial dust jacket with design by Irving Politzer, scattered creasing, small nicks at spine panel ends and fold corners, 2-inch closed tear at bottom of spine panel with residue of old cellotape repair on verso, restoration to top of front panel affecting most of first word in title, also touching the "C" and with color additions and overpainting, still a very presentable unclipped example; discreet bookseller's ticket at top of rear pastedown including original retail price, otherwise entirely free from any markings or foxing. New York: The Dial Press, 1929

Additional Details

first edition of the author's first book and in the rare dust jacket. Laid-in is a single sheet removed from a pocket calendar (year not indicated) Signed by Burnett. Little Caesar was both a critical and commercial success and is credited with initiating the modern psychological gangster subgenre. The basis for the pre-code Mervyn LeRoy film featuring Edward G. Robinson's star-making performance.