Cannery Row — John Steinbeck | 1945 Viking Press Book Club Edition

A handsome 1945 Book Club edition of John Steinbeck's Cannery Row, published by The Viking Press in the same year as the novel's first publication.

Bound in distinctive bright blue cloth with blind-stamped title and decorative horizontal rules to the front board and gilt lettering to the spine. This 181-page issue is the 1945 Book Club edition, differing from the 208-page Viking trade first edition.

Set among the sardine canneries and colorful inhabitants of Monterey, California, Cannery Row remains one of Steinbeck's most beloved works. Its memorable collection of outsiders, laborers, shopkeepers, and dreamers is centered around Doc and the residents of the Palace Flophouse, capturing the humor and humanity that characterize some of Steinbeck's finest writing.

An especially nice feature of this copy is its contemporary ownership inscription:

“Wesley C. Scarborough — 25 May 1945”

The inscription dates from only a few months after the book's January 1945 publication and provides an appealing period association with the year of issue.

Condition

Good+ to Very Good- condition. Bright blue boards retain strong color with rubbing and wear concentrated at the spine ends, corners, and board edges. Some loss to the blue covering is visible at the head and heel of the spine, along with smaller areas of general shelf wear. Gilt spine lettering remains clear and attractive.

Binding appears sound and the interior is notably clean, with pages showing only light age-related toning. Contemporary owner's name and date in blue ink on the front endpaper. No dust jacket.