A Modern Hero

New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1932. First, Limited Edition. Octavo (19.5cm). White cloth spine over red cloth-covered boards; red top-stain; dustjacket; 450pp. No. 180 of 250 signed and numbered copies in the first edition. A fresh, fine copy, with the gold foil endpapers bright and uncreased; in the original gold foil art deco dustwrapper designed by Paul Spener Johst, also close to fine but for a tiny closed nick at base of front panel, but with none of the fading and oxidizing typically seen on this title. The limited edition was issued in a publisher's slipcase and a glassine over-wrapper; these are missing for this copy. Still an exceptional copy of a book rather prone to fading and wear. Ohio author (and Pulitzer Prize-winner) Bromfield's seventh novel, chronicling the rise and fall of a young, ambitious American businessman. Source for the 1934 G.W. Pabst film of the same name, in which Richard Barthelmess played the central role. Oddly overlooked by Hanna.