First Watch - Rare Unnumbered Publisher's Copy John Steinbeck

The First Watch by John Steinbeck OVERALL CONDITION: FINE+ in a FINE custom solander box ***A VERY RARE Steinbeck pamphlet about unfulfilled expectations. An edition of only 60 printed by Ward Ritchie, 50 for friends of the sponsor and 10 for Steinbeck. None for the general public. 13 copies are held by institutions. So only 47 numbered copies and a few unnumbered copies are held by private collectors in the world.*** This copy is even rarer: it is one of only a few known (less than a handful) unnumbered publisher copies that were kept by Ward Ritchie. And it is in exceptional condition, well protected in its gorgeous, custom solander box. Published in 1947 by Ward Ritchie in New York. First edition, first printing, and the only publication of a letter by Steinbeck to Arnold Gingrich, editor of Esquire, thanking him for sending a watch as a gift. In its original buff saddle-sewn printed wrappers with hand ties. Pictorial title page lettered in black and red. Small octavo, 5.25 inches x 4 inches 6 (2) pp. The first 10 copies went to Steinbeck with the remaining 11-60 numbered copies going to the Cohns (House of Books) for Christmas gift presentation. A handful of unnumbered copies (including this one) were kept by Ward Ritchie himself. Included is a finely bound, custom solander case - 1/2 brown morocco over marbled paper with two spine bands, gilt bordering and lettering. The interior is lined with luxurious white moire silk and finely woven beige cloth. Inside is a matching beige cloth covered folding box lined with soft white moire silk which envelops the delicate pamphlet, protecting its superb condition exceptionally well. ABOUT WARD RITCHIE Harry "Ward" Ritchie (Los Angeles, California June 15, 1905--Laguna Beach, California January 24, 1996) was an American printer, book designer, book collector and writer of around 100 books. He was part of the Golden Age of fine printing that took place during the 1920s and 1930s in Southern California. Ritchie was also part of the Artists of the Arroyo Seco community. In 1930, Ritchie apprenticed in Paris with the renowned artist and printer François-Louis Schmied. Upon his return to the States, Ritchie co-founded, along with fellow printer Grant Dahlstrom and bookseller Jacob (Jake) Zeitlin, the Rounce & Coffin Club. This club was created as a less formal alternative to the Zamorano Club, where other bibliophiles gathered in Los Angeles, and to which he was later welcomed in 1934. The following year, he established the Ward Ritchie Press, through which he published thousands of books, over 750 designed by himself; his output included works by poets Robinson Jeffers, Carl Sandburg, Archibald MacLeish, Carlyle MacIntyre, librarian Lawrence Clark Powell, novelist Alexandre Dumas, and many others. In 1987 he gave the Englehard Lecture on Fine Printing: The Los Angeles Tradition at the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress. ABOUT THE PAMPHLET This elusive Steinbeck publication is a letter from Steinbeck to Arnold Gingrich, editor of Esquire, thanking him for sending a watch as a gift. The letter is full of Steinbeck humor noting that he had expected a watch when he graduated from high school, but none was forthcoming, and since he didn't actually graduate from Stanford University he, likewise, hadn't received a watch as a gift. This work was privately printed at the Ward Ritchie Press as the Christmas greeting for the year from the Cohns. The Cohns are notable for being the owners of House of Books in New York, one of the pioneering Booksellers in modern first editions. CONDITION: The book is in FINE+ to VERY FINE vintage condition. No condition issues to note. Looks fresh and crisp like the day it was published. Perhaps some nominal edge rubbing if being super picky! The custom slipcase is in FINE or better condition. A superior collectible copy of Steinbeck's rarest work!