The Pearl — John Steinbeck | First UK Edition, First Impression

John Steinbeck's enduring novella The Pearl, offered here in the first British edition, first impression, published by William Heinemann in London in 1948, one year after the American first edition.

This attractive copy remains in its original deep blue cloth, with black title panels and gilt lettering to both the front board and spine. The copyright page states simply "First Published 1948," identifying the first Heinemann impression.

An especially appealing feature of this copy is the original bookseller's label for Librairie Française et Étrangère Galignani, 224 Rue de Rivoli, Paris, preserved on the front pastedown. Galignani has a long history as a Paris bookseller specializing in French and English-language literature, giving this copy an interesting connection to the postwar Paris book trade.

Steinbeck's short but powerful story follows Kino, a poor pearl diver whose discovery of an extraordinary pearl promises to transform his family's life. Instead, the pearl awakens greed, violence and tragedy. Drawing upon the structure of a traditional parable, The Pearl remains one of Steinbeck's most widely read works.

Condition

Very Good. Original blue cloth remains notably clean and bright with only light shelf wear, minor rubbing and modest wear at the spine ends and corners. Black title panels remain strong and the gilt lettering is still attractive. Binding is sound and the pages are generally clean with expected light age toning and occasional minor spotting or marks. A small brown mark is present at the upper edge of the copyright leaf. Original Galignani bookseller's label remains on the front pastedown.

No dust jacket.

A particularly attractive jacketless example of the 1948 first UK edition, enhanced by its surviving Paris bookseller's label.