OF MICE AND MEN: A Play In 3 Acts

New York: Covici Friede Publishers, 1937. Near fine in like dust jacket.. First edition of the play version of John Steinbeck's landmark work, following the tragedy of two migrant farm workers in the Great Depression. Published in the same year as the novella, the OF MICE AND MEN play was adapted for the stage by Steinbeck himself. The play made its Broadway debut under director George S. Kaufman while the novella was still at the top of the bestseller list; Kaufman advised Steinbeck on the stage adaptation, urging him to "preserve the marvelous tenderness of the book," but also to add "a little more humor" to "heighten the subsequent tragedy by comparison" (Steinbeck and Wallsten). Lon Chaney, Jr., the originator of the role of Lennie in the initial production, would go on to reprise his role in the 1939 film. 7.5'' x 5''. Original beige cloth binding with black and brown titles. Original unclipped ($2.00) blue, beige, and white dust jacket. Yellow endpapers. Blue topstain. Title page with blue ornament. 172 pages. Ownership stamp of Edward V. Peters to front pastedown. Jacket sunned to spine with mild edgewear, a couple of chips and tiny closed tears. Binding with mild toning to spine, topstain faded. Sharp and clean.