STEINBECK, John. East of Eden. New York: Viking Press, 1952. Octavo, original cloth, original dust jacket.

First edition, first printing, inscribed on flyleaf: "For Fred Washbourn / with many thanks / for two fine lists / of thorns / John Steinbeck / New York 1953". It is believed that Fred Washbourn worked for Steinbeck as an independent researcher. Washbourn's assignment for East of Eden was to provide descriptions of foliage, flowers and, as the inscription states, thorns. Book good with some staining and fraying, price-clipped dust jacket with some darkening to spine, chips to bottom of front panel and some edgewear. Rare: East of Eden is one of the most difficult Steinbeck titles to find inscribed.  

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